Scotland’s top legal officer, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC, has joined Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall and Council Leader, Mark Macmillan to launch a new initiative designed to combat disability hate crime.
Police Scotland is also backing the Keep Safe Ambassador Programme which aims to work with young people to raise awareness of what disability hate crime is and encourage them to report it.
The pilot programme will see a group of 20 young people from Castlehead High School (Paisley) and St Aloysius College (Glasgow) receiving a day-long training course on identifying disability hate crime and highlighting how incidents and crimes can be reported.
Renfrewshire’s Provost, Anne Hall, said, “Communities are judged on how they protect their most vulnerable members. Scotland’s most senior lawyer, the commander of Police Scotland’s K Division, the Leader of Renfrewshire Council and, most importantly of all, young people from Renfrewshire and Glasgow are backing the Keep Safe Young Ambassador programme.
“The strength of this partnership shows how we all regard disability hate crime as utterly unacceptable and highlights our determination to tackle it at every level.”
Renfrewshire Council Leader, Councillor Mark Macmillan, said, “Disability hate crime targets some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Experience shows that bullying and name calling can quickly develop into physical assault and worse.
“Renfrewshire Council has consistently supported the I am Me campaign and we will be throwing our weight behind this new programme.”
Lord Advocate, Frank Mullholland QC, said, “There is no place for hate crime of any kind in Scotland. We have a zero-tolerance approach to such offences and urge anyone who has witnessed this type of behaviour or has been the victim of a hate crime to report it to the police.
“We are always keen to support initiatives that tackle hate crime and welcome the Keep Safe Ambassador Programme as a means of encouraging young people to report these incidents and engaging with them on how best to tackle the issue of hate crime.
“It is vital that young people are at the centre of our efforts to eradicate hate crime as they are in the unique position of being able to champion efforts to make Scotland a more tolerant and inclusive society for all.”
The programme is open to young people aged 14-18. I Am Me Scotland will work with partners to deliver a one day training course which will help young people identify prejudice based incidents, within school and out in the community, and become third party reporters.
Ambassadors will be trained by Police Scotland to recognise the variety of reporting methods available and help ensure that their own safety is not compromised.
Chief Superintendent, Jim Downie, said, “I am delighted to be working with I am Me as we aim to raise awareness of hate crime and the reporting process amongst our young people. These young people are our future and I am confident that through the Keep Safe Ambassador Programme they will help to change attitudes to make our communities safer.”
Keep Safe Ambassadors, who complete the training, will recruit new ambassadors to help extend the programme. Young Ambassadors will also identify possible Keep Safe premises in the community.
Keep Safe is a partnership between I Am Me, Police Scotland and a network of local businesses. The scheme provides safe places for people who have been the victim of a crime or who feel threatened, lost or scared when out in the community.
Identified premises are checked for suitability by Police Scotland and staff are provided with training. Keep Safe cards, which detail information regarding communication needs, medical requirements and who to contact in an emergency, are available for anyone who requires one.
There are currently 126 premises signed up in Renfrewshire. Dumfries & Galloway, Inverclyde and the Borders have adopted the initiative, and, Ayrshire and Edinburgh are preparing to roll it out. Further information about Keep Safe is available at www.iammescotland.co.uk.