The borough of Rochdale says no to hate crime

The Rochdale borough stands together for Greater Manchester’s hate crime awareness week, which runs from 7 – 13 February 2022

The borough of Rochdale has come together again to take a stand against hate crime as part of Greater Manchester’s hate crime awareness week, which runs from 7 – 13 February 2022.

Rochdale Borough Council alongside Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and community groups are holding awareness-raising events across the borough to challenge perceptions, encourage reporting and promote tolerance.

Hate crimes are crimes committed against someone or a group of people because of their personal characteristics, which are protected by law, and in Greater Manchester, hate crimes are also recorded against alternative sub-cultures. Crimes of this nature can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, bullying, damage to property.

To mark the week, Rochdale Borough Council in conjunction with GMCA have supported partners who engage local people to promote the prevention and reporting of hate crime.

Events taking place include, an online session mainly aimed at men, exploring the role that males can play to support women on issues of gender-based violence and misogyny, and helping men understand sexual harassment and abuse against women. There will also be a magazine distributed to disabled people across the borough that focuses on hate crime and mate crime, which is crime by someone in a position of trust against a vulnerable individual.

A creative arts project will take place, working with young people from LGBTQ+ and an alternative sub-culture background to raise awareness of hate crime and there will be an event working with asylum seekers and refugees. Alongside this, there will be GMP information stalls across the borough where officers will engage with the public and hand out literature and merchandise to signpost people where to go for services and support.

Councillor Susan Smith, cabinet member for communities and cooperation, said: “We in Rochdale embrace and celebrate our differences and are willing to stand up against all forms of hate.

"Throughout the pandemic, we have seen our communities supporting each other through challenging times.

"Cooperation is what Rochdale is known for, and hate and intolerance threatens that cohesion. Everyone that makes up the diverse population of Rochdale should have the right to live their lives free from hate and discrimination.

"Hate crime awareness week encourages people to support victims of hate crime, to challenge their abuser if it is safe, and to report it. In Rochdale you can visit www.report-it.org.uk or ring 101 or in an emergency always dial 999."

Inspector Paul Mason, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “Hate crime can have a devastating impact on victims, as well as additionally effecting the wider Rochdale community, which is why our officers are working hard alongside local partners such as Rochdale Borough Council, to engage with local residents to ensure they know what a hate crime is, how to report and what support is available to them.

“We want Rochdale to be a safe place for everyone, regardless of their faith or background. If you've been a victim or a witness of hate, I would encourage you to report it to Greater Manchester Police on '101' or visit www.letsendhatecrime.com to report or receive help and support.”

For more information on Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022 and local events taking part across Greater Manchester go to www.letsendhatecrime.com