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Merseyside MP Luciana Berger
urges victims to not suffer in silence
MERSEYSIDE MP Luciana Berger has joined
Merseyside Police in urging victims of hate crime to not suffer in silence, but
come forward and report it. As part of national Hate Crime Awareness Week, which
is taking place this week, the Labour MP, for Wavertree has spoken about being a
victim of hate crime and being targeted because of her Jewish background.
Merseyside Police takes the issue of hate crime very seriously and the purpose
of hate crime awareness week is to educate people about what constitutes a hate
crime and encourage them to come forward if they have been a victim so prompt
action can be taken.
Talking about being a victim of hate crime, in a video interview, Ms Berger
said:- "It makes me feel pretty bad. It's a very difficult thing to go
through. You are attacked because of something you can't change, by way of how
you are born; whether it is your gender or because of a disability or your race
or religion. To be attacked in that way and to be really targeted was awful and
also because other people don't know it is happening. More often than not you
experience it alone and that can be hard and then when your family find out
about it it's difficult for them as well because they are concerned about your
safety and wellbeing and they shoulder that pain and upset as well. I think it
is really important that people know what hate crime is, the different forms it
can take. It can take place in many different ways and most people don't know
what it is. It bothers me that some people could have been affected so
negatively; as I know that I have been; by that type of crime and essentially
suffer alone. I think it is so important that people know about hate crime and
have the confidence to know if they come forward someone is going to support you
and something will be done. I know from my own experience if you come forward,
there are many different ways you can report hate crime. It doesn't have to be
with the police. There are many opportunities within the community, be that a
Citizens Advice Bureau or a local Hospital or community group, knowing that it
will be treated seriously and action will be taken. I know from my own
experience that the police have been really dedicated to ensure that those types
of crimes are considered like every other crime, very seriously, and people are
pursued to hold them to account for their actions. My message for any victim is
I know what it feels like. I've been at the receiving end of many incidents of
hate crime and I've been supported by the police through that and it's been to
court and people have been convicted for those offences. I want people to have
the confidence that they can come forward. Action will be taken. The courts do
take this seriously and the perpetrators of these crimes will be held to account
and that is what is so important. I think it is really important to raise as
much awareness of hate crime as possible, because it takes so many different
forms and can affect so many different groups of people. It is not just about
racist hate crime; you can be attacked because of your religion, if you have a
disability, because of your sexuality, because of your gender. I don't want
anyone to suffer in silence. There is support out there, you will be taken
seriously. It might take a family member to hear about hate crime awareness week
to understand what it means and what can be done about it, or a friend or a
neighbour to extend that support and that information to anyone that might be
suffering to know that if they come forward something will be done."
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Critchley said:- "Hate crime comes in a lot of
different guises, but we recognise the impact that it has on individuals and
communities. Hate Crime Awareness week is about raising awareness of what hate
crime is and letting victims know that we are committed to supporting victims
and bringing offenders to justice. We are grateful that Luciana Berger has been
so upfront in talking about her experiences and encouraging people to come
forward in confidence that their report will be taken seriously. Nobody should
have to live in fear of abuse or intimidation because of who they are. We work
closely with a number of partner agencies to help give people the confidence to
report if they are a victim and there are a number of 3rd party reporting
centres across Merseyside, such as:- Fire Stations, Citizens Advice bureaus and
Hospitals, where people may feel more comfortable discussing the issue with an
independent party."
Anyone who has been a victim of hate crime can contact Merseyside Police on:-
101 also 999 in an emergency or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on:- 0800 555
111.
Stop Hate UK can also be contacted by calling:- 0800 138 1625.
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