‘Dear Haters’ message to stamp out bigoted abuse
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage victims of hate crime to report it to the police.
Humza Yousaf, Justice Secretary, and police said too many crimes go unreported.
The campaign is aimed at people who suffer abuse because of their gender, sexuality, race or disability or any other minority.
Victims of hate crime said abuse can have a devastating effect on their lives.
Henrietta Mochrie, said: “I’ve experienced so many incidents of hate crime because I’m transgender.
“I’ll often get street harassment, sometimes this has escalated to the point where I’ve been followed by people shouting abuse at me, just because of who I am.
“It makes me feel really down and scared to leave the house.
“It’s important that if you witness hate crime that you report it to take a stand against hate.”
The campaign “Hate Crime. Report it to stop it” aims to improve the statistic that less than half of people would report a hate crime.
More than 5300 hate crimes were reported to the Crown Office in 2017, but Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said many more go unreported.
A poll earlier this month of 1000 Scottish adults revealed more than 80 per cent would tell police about an elderly woman being mugged or a house in their street being broken into, but less than half (43 per cent) would report online religious bullying.
Mr Yousaf has experienced abuse over many years.
He said: “As somebody who has faced Islamaphobic and racial abuse over the years, I know how upsetting being a victim of hate can be.
“Hate crime and prejudice are completely unacceptable and we are absolutely committed to tackling it.
“We all have a role to play in stamping out prejudice and I would ask anyone who witnesses a hate crime to play their part and report it.
“Justice agencies such as the police and Crown Office will deal sensitively with reports made and people should have confidence in how they will be treated.”
The campaign features mock letters from Scotland addressed “Dear Haters”, stating the country has “had enough”.
Other images are addressed to transphobes, homophobes, disablists, bigots and racists.
Police Scotland said hate crime emergencies should be reported via a 999 call and otherwise incidents can be reported on the 101 nonemergency number.