A new film featuring local sports teams, drives home a powerful message that hate is unacceptable in Leicestershire’s diverse communities.
The Stamp It Out video, which will premiere on Friday 13 October, is being launched at a Hate Crime conference held on the eve of National Hate Crime Awareness Week (HCAW).
The project, funded by PCC Lord Willy Bach and led by Leicestershire Police’s Hate Crime Officer Darren Goddard, is the result of a partnership between the Force and local sports groups including Dolly Rockit Rollers, Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Leicester City Women’s Football Club and Leicester Riders.
The film sees team members talking about hate incidents to camera, how to report hate incidents and the need for communities to stand together and fight hatred and intolerance in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The videos will be uploaded across a variety of different platforms to boost awareness of the issue and signpost victims to help and support as part of long-term anti-hate campaign.
The Don’t Hate, Educate conference will take place at City Hall from 9.30am on Friday and will involve a special screening of the film at 10.30am.
Willy Bach said: “I’m really excited to give this film its first public viewing as the UK prepares to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
“I really appreciate the hard work of everyone involved including those sports organisations who have volunteered to use their power and influence to reach the younger generation who we know are one of the groups most at risk of becoming victims.”
The conference will be attended by around 85 young people from city and county secondary schools.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell, who has responsibility for young people, will open the conference. She said: “This film makes it clear that if you experience this sort of discrimination, it’s not OK. It encourages young people to tell someone, as a first step to tackling the problem.
“We’re lucky to live in a tremendously diverse city with an active and engaged young community who are determined to tackle hate crime. I’m really pleased that our young people are holding this conference and have made this film to help put this important issue in the spotlight.”
The conference has been organised by and for young people, with a planning group comprising members of Leicester City’s Young People’s Council, the Big Mouth Forum for disabled young people, the Police and Crime Commission’s Youth Commission and County Youth Council Leicestershire.
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Posted on Wednesday 11th October 2017