Council proudly supports Hate Crime Awareness Week
- Oct 9, 2020
- 2 min read
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is proud to support this year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week which runs from October 10 to 17.
The week aims to raise awareness of the different types of hate crimes in society and what can be done to prevent it and support those affected by it.
Speaking about the initiative, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston said:
“Intolerance, prejudice and discrimination of any nature have no place in our society.
“I am delighted to live in a borough that has embraced diversity and benefited greatly from the rich variety of cultures that can found throughout our community.
“National Hate Crime Awareness Week is an opportunity to celebrate everyone who calls this borough home and learn more about what we can do to tackle hate crimes and bring them to an end.”
In 2018 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council launched the ‘No Hate Here’ programme in conjunction with the PSNI, PCSP and Inter-Ethnic Forum.
The ongoing scheme operates in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus and encourages local business and organisations to assist those who had been victims of a hate crime, signpost them to support services and encourage reporting.
This has been achieved through the development of a bespoke resource pack which provides information on practical steps on how to eradicate hate crime and sources to help those who have been impacted by it.
Mayor Johnston continued:
“The No Hate Here campaign has been incredibly successful and has made huge steps forward in ensuring our borough is a place where we can all live, work and play in safety and know that residents and visitors can do the same.
“It is up to us, as a community, to come together and send out the message loud and clear that there is no place for hate crime or discrimination in Mid and East Antrim.
“I would urge anyone who is a victim of a hate crime or who has witnessed a hate crime incident to please report it to the authorities without hesitation.”
Further information on National Hate Crime Awareness Week can be found here
