The website Stop Hate WLV – includes details of how people should report instances of hate crime, including to the police, the website True Vision and a number of Third Party reporting centres in Wolverhampton, as well as details of organisations which offer support and advice to victims and witnesses in the city.
It also features case studies and useful videos, information about local support campaigns from Victim Support, the Safer Travel Partnership and Zebra Access, and details of West Midlands Police's forthcoming Hate Crime Surgeries taking place at the Citizens Advice Bureau, the University of Wolverhampton, Holy Trinity Church, Gloucester Street Church and Jamia Masjid Al-Aqsa.
There are also resources including social media materials to help individuals and organisations raise awareness of hate crime, along with information for frontline professionals.
Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by hatred because of an individual's race, colour, ethnic origin or nationality, religion, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
It can take many forms, from physical attacks such as an assault, damage to property or arson, to verbal abuse or insults. It also includes sending offensive letters, emails, tweets or texts, or making malicious complaints or abusive or obscene phone calls.
The website has been developed by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of the Safer Wolverhampton Partnership, whose chair Mark Taylor said: "This new website is an important resource for people who have either been a victim of hate crime or have witnessed it, or simply want to find out more.
“It includes a wealth of information, from reporting mechanisms to the many local organisations which can provide help and support.
"Victims of hate crime should not suffer in silence, and I would encourage anyone who has been affected to contact the authorities as soon as possible.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Hate crime is something that has no place in Wolverhampton, and this excellent new website acts as a one stop shop for anyone affected by it in any way."
For more information, please visit Stop Hate WLV. Reporting hate crime makes a real difference to victims, their friends and the wider community. By reporting hate crime when it happens, people can help stop it happening to someone else, and help police better understand the level of hate crime in the area.
