North Ireland Launches Hard-Hitting Hate Crime Awareness Drive
Over 3,000 Victims in Just One Year
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), teamed up with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, local safety partnerships, and the Hate Crime Advocacy Service, has kicked off a bold new campaign. The aim? To spotlight the brutal impact hate crime has on victims and to push the public to report any nastiness they witness.
Launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week, the campaign calls on everyone to “put yourself in their shoes” and imagine the pain of being targeted for who you are.
PSNI Demands Zero Tolerance
Superintendent Sue Steen, the PSNI’s Hate Crime lead, slammed the issue: “In the last 12 months, over 3,000 people suffered hate crimes or incidents. In a modern, diverse society, that’s unacceptable.”
“Northern Ireland might be known as welcoming, but that’s not the reality for hate crime victims,” Steen added. “No one has the right to hate another because of their background, religion, faith, or identity.”
Community Must Act and Report
The campaign pushes for a united front against hate. It stresses how vital it is to report incidents police, because you can’t stop hate if you don’t know it’s happening.
For those nervous about coming forward, the Hate Crime Advocacy Service offers confidential support and guidance, helping victims take a stand safely.
Voices from the Frontline
John Blair MLA, Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Partnership Committee, said, “We want victims to report these hateful acts. Perpetrators must stop and consider how they’d feel in a victim’s shoes.”
Michael Avila from the Hate Crime Advocacy Service echoed the call, promising victims a safe space and free help — no matter if they’ve reported the crime or not.
“We stand ready to support anyone affected by hate crime or incidents,” Avila declared.
