An awareness raising campaign on hate crime has been launched in the City of Aberdeen this month.
The initiative has been developed by Aberdeen-based charity Grampian Regional
Equality Council (GREC). The purpose of the campaign is to increase awareness in the city about what hate crime is, how to report it, what support is available and how to access it.
GREC general manager Dave Black said: “We know that the number of hate crimes reported to the police and to GREC is the tip of the iceberg; there are many people living in our communities who are putting up with abuse and harassment.
“We have specialist advice and counselling services to help people address these issues and support them to move on.”
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “Aberdeen prides itself in being an inclusive city and open to all. Prejudice however can exist anywhere which is why it is so important to raise awareness about what hate crime is, how to report it and how to obtain support in how to deal with it.”
Other activities taking place throughout the month will be information and awareness sessions with community groups, a survey to gain a better understanding of the true extent of hate crime and prejudice in Aberdeen, a training session for organisations to become hate crime reporting centres, and the launch of GREC’s Anne Frank Awards 2017-2018.
Members of the public can find more information by visiting the GREC website: www.grec.co.uk.