Victim Support NI host successful Hate Crime Learning Event
Victim Support NI are dedicated to helping victims and witnesses of all types of crime across NI. As part of our work, alongside the practical aspects of supporting and providing information in the immediate aftermath of a crime, we also aim to educate and inform.
Our work with other partners across the Criminal Justice System, and the charity sector, allows us to facilitate conversations and nurture great working relationships – all with the victim in mind.
In November, we hosted a Hate Crime Learning Event, with two key speakers, Lord Bracadale, who headed the Hate Crime Review in Scotland, and Judge Desmond Marrinan, who is currently leading the Hate Crime Review in Northern Ireland.
The event aimed to update the invited audience on the steps being taken to review hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland.
Judge Marrinan talked about how the team were consulting with a wide range of organisations who work closely with hate crime victims, as well as victims themselves.
“It has been chastening talking to victims of hate crime and hearing about the gross invasions of people’s privacy. The consultation paper has given me a huge amount to think about, and follows the model ably set by Lord Bracadale. We wanted people to engage.
Reflecting on the social landscape, Judge Marrinan commented, “Education is very important. Children are not born hateful but somewhere along the line something goes wrong.
“A lot of people here have never heard of hate crime legislation. So far, the figures don’t look good; the law is not functioning in the way that it should. Racist hate crime now surpasses sectarian hate crime in Northern Ireland. This makes this review timely. Every day in Northern Ireland there are eight hate crime offences. We have a real problem on our hands.”
Looking forward, Judge Marrinan commented, “If there is to be a law that works for victims it needs to be well thought out. Crimes need recorded as hate crime, whereas now they’re recorded as basic offences, which causes problems.
“Most of the victims of hate crime do not want to engage in the criminal justice system, but instead would like to explore Restorative Justice. But we don’t have a statutory scheme embedded in our system.”
He also commended the work of local hate crime advocates through the Hate Crime Advocacy Service. “I want to pay tribute to Northern Ireland’s hate crime advocacy service which provides support throughout the criminal justice journey.”
If you have been a victim of hate crime, support is available.
- Victim Support NI (victimsupportni.co.uk) ensures that all victims of hate crime receive a response tailored to their individual needs
- Leonard Cheshire (leonardcheshire.org/where-we-work/northern-ireland) provide advocacy for those experiencing disability hate crime.
- Rainbow Project NI (rainbow-project.org) provide advocacy for those experiencing homophobic and transphobic hate crime.
- Migrant Centre NI (migrantcentreni.org) provide advocacy for those experiencing racial hate crime.
We would like to thank Lord Bracadale and Judge Marrinan for their time and insights on the night, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks also to Pam Cameron MLA and Megan Fearon MLA for co-sponsoring our event and to the staff at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings for their help on the night.
