New Website Helps Tackle Hate Crimes That Go Unreported

Open_Out

This year 80 Hate Crime Incidents have been reported and investigated by police in Cambridgeshire. But research shows that as many as 95% of these crimes go unreported!

Hate Crime includes verbal and physical abuse, harassment, assault and damage to property. Victims may be targeted because of their race, faith, gender, sexuality, disability or age.

People are often reluctant to report incidents because of distrust or anxiety towards the police, some feel they wont be taken seriously or that they should be able to cope on their own.

Without talking about what’s happened and getting the right support some victims can find themselves becoming isolated, loosing their self esteem, even having trouble in other areas of their life like finance or relationships. Sadly this type of silent crime can have fatal consequences with victims at risk of homicide or suicide.

To stop this happening local scheme, Open Out, has launched a new website, www.openoutcambs.org. As well as providing information, the website’s simple reporting form allows members of the public to report incidents quickly and confidentially in order to access support.

“It is vital that anyone who has been affected by this type of crime can get the help they need. We hope that this new website will make it easier for people to talk about what’s happened and access our service.” – Molly Blackburn, Open Out Co-ordinator

Open Out is a third party reporting scheme that offers support, advice and information to the victims and witnesses of Hate Crime. It has been helping people in Cambridgeshire since 2001 when it was set up following the tragic death of Steven Lawrence.

If you or someone you know may have been affected by Hate Crime visit Open Out’s website: www.openoutcambs.org or call: 01223 823553 (mon-fri 9-5pm)

If you are in immediate danger you should always dial 999.