Manchester youngsters will find out about hate crime during a special event next week as part of a series of events being held to raise awareness of the problem.
Pupils from Manchester Communications Academy in Harpurhey will watch a special play written and performed by members of theatre group Exceeding Expectations to help them understand what hate crime is, who can be affected by it and how they can report it.
The event, held on Monday January 21, is being held to launch a hate crime awareness week organised by Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police.
Earlier in the day, people from a wide range of organisations across the city, including faith groups, disability groups and those representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, attended a launch event at Manchester Town Hall to launch the city?s new hate crime strategy.
This outlines how the City Council, together with Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies will work with residents across the city to tackle the issue, and follows a consultation event last summer in which partners and residents were invited to talk about their experiences.
The strategy includes measures such as increasing reporting of hate crime incidents, taking effective action against perpetrators, making sure the agencies involved work more closely together, providing proper support to victims and preventing hate crime by educating people and working to change attitudes.
Meanwhile, residents? groups across the city will also hold dozens of events throughout hate crime awareness week to help their neighbours understand the issue.
The events, which have been supported by the City Council, include:
The Whalley Range based Community On Solid Ground project, which provides activities to encourage young people to get back into work, education or training, is holding an event on 26 January aimed at raising awareness of hate crime among young people.
Manchester street pastors will be going out in Rusholme on 25 January to hand out information to members of the public about hate crime and how to report it.
The Mancunian Way charity will hold a ?shimmer and shine? beauty event to raise awareness of hate crime among young women in Gorton.
Groups of students from across south Manchester will hold events throughout the week.
The Challenging Hate Forum will hold a public event at Manchester Cathedral on 22 January.
Information about hate crime and how to report it will be given out to members of the public during an event at Longsight library on 23 January.
Abraham Moss and King David High School will hold the first of a series of events which will include visiting victims of the Holocaust and atrocities in Rwanda and Kosovo.
An event has been organised by the Indian senior citizens centre in Longsight.
The city centre?s Lesbian and Gay Foundation will hold an event encouraging people to report homophobic hate crime.
Councillor Bernard Priest, Manchester City Council?s executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "We are determined to make sure that hate crime will not be tolerated in Manchester, but for us to deal effectively with this issue, it?s vital we work closely with residents to make sure they understand what hate crime is and change their perceptions towards people who from other groups.
"We?ve tapped into the city?s famous community spirit and Manchester should be proud that a wide range of different groups from across the city have come on board to join us in the fight against hate crime. It?s also vital that young people know about hate crime and so the play being held at the Manchester Communications Academy is an excellent opportunity to get the message across to them."
Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable, Garry Shewan, said: ?Hate crime is something that can ruin the lives of many, it could be happening right under our noses where those closest to us could be living in fear and not even know that they are a victim of crime.
?This awareness week is about showing the people of Manchester that we are working together with Manchester City Council, the CPS and our local partners to put a stop to hate crime but also to open people?s eyes to the problem and ask them to challenge it, speak up and encourage victims to report it.
?Every individual has a right to feel safe and secure in their surroundings, free from hostility and harassment. If this isn?t the case than it needs to stop and we won?t tolerate it. If it's happening to you, speak to someone and get the help you need so we can bring offenders to justice.??
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Hate crime is a blight on our society. No-one should be a victim of crime simply because of who they are.
?This kind of work is incredibly important as it helps people understand what hate crime is and shows that police and other agencies will listen to the diverse communities affected and take it seriously. By standing together we can stamp it out for good."
Anyone who wants to report hate crime should call 101 or 08000 83007, or alternatively report it online at www.report-it.org.uk.
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