Children are suffering, too

ALMOST 3,000 young people from eight Nottinghamshire schools took part in a survey to reveal the extent of hate crime among young people.

More than one in 10 (14 percent) told researchers of the unique report that they had been victims.

The Still No Place for Hate Schools Report will be launched on Tuesday at a cross-party parliamentary event during Hate Crime Awareness Week, chaired by students from Djanogly City Academy and hosted by Nottingham North MP Alex Norris.

It is the accompanying report to the Still No Place for Hate report, released in May of this year.

Many of the young people did not understand what a hate crime was or passed it off as just part of normal life.

The research revealed that around a quarter of respondents did not identify pulling a Muslim woman’s hijab off as a hate incident. Twenty-nine percent of respondents did not identify using “gay” as an insult. 22 percent of respondents (646 people) suggested that debating religious differences would be considered a hate crime, and there was significant confusion, too, in describing people by using their race.

Lead author Dr Jason Pandyawood, of Nottingham Trent University, said: “If young people are unable to define what might constitute a hate crime, they may also be ill-equipped when they or others are victimised as such.”

Both reports were supported by Nottingham Citizens, which is an alliance of 35 member communities – schools and universities, faith groups and unions, housing associations, charities and other civic organisations – committed to working together for the common good. It is part of the national charity Citizens UK. Responses given by young people to why they thought their incident was motivated by hate included:

■ Because he shaped his hand in a gun shape and said “I have killed a lot of you Muslims in the war”

■ They told me I didn’t belong here because I was a “black nigga” and I should “go back to my own country” ■ They remarked on the Manchester Bombing attack and claimed I was the next bomber as a result of my religion

■ They were racist to me saying racist words. Also called me a slut and a hoe.

■ Because my parents are Muslim and my mom wears a hijab and someone tried to pull it off and tried to do the same to me.

■ She called me a “gay little faggot” and other people have called me other gay slurs

Community leaders said that the report raised important issues that needed immediate attention.

Sajid Mohammed, chief executive of Himmah and Nottingham Citizens leader, said: “Hate crime is on the rise in our cities. Everyone from the new Home Secretary to Nottingham school girls as young as 12 have ended up victims of hateful slurs. Communities can and must change this and we need co-operation from all levels of Government right up to the Prime Minister.

This report is a significant moment for young people in Nottinghamshire to have their experiences, and their voices heard. We must listen to them.”

Louise Mcdonagh, senior leader, Djanogly City Academy said: “We are proud as an academy to be part of this historical and important piece of work. Djanogly City Academy is a place which celebrates diversity and our academy is reflective of the diversity in the wider community. Our scholars are excited at the prospect of being an integral part of bringing about political change.”

Among its recommendations, the report says that Nottinghamshire Police should work more closely with schools, that schools be given teaching materials on hate crime, that an app be created to make reporting hate crime easier.

It also recommends that Ofsted review its requirements for inspecting discriminatory bullying, that greater prominence be given to exploring issues associated with hate crime in lessons and that schools make it easier to report hate crime.