Police Commissioner unites with Region's football clubs to spread anti hate message

MERSEYSIDE Police Commissioner has united with the Region's football clubs to promote:- 'National Hate Crime Awareness Week' and encourage victims to report incidents of hate. Taking place until Saturday, 19 October 2019, the campaign reinforces the message that Merseyside is:- '#NoPlaceForHate.'

Throughout the week, Jane Kennedy will be supporting both National and Regional campaigns and is working with partners including:- Liverpool FC, Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers to publicise the ways victims can report incidents of abuse. This includes taking the anti hate message to Anfield, Goodison and Prenton Park through articles in the match day programmes encouraging victims to report incidents to the Police or to the national charity Stop Hate UK. Stop Hate UK have been commissioned by the PCC to provide an alternative, non Police route of reporting.

The articles also explain how there are now more than 90 3rd party hate crime reporting centres across Merseyside where victims can get help to report a hate crime in a safe and secure environment. In addition, 1,000 beer mats promoting Stop Hate UK will be distributed, at:- Goodison Park, on Saturday, 19 October 2019, for Everton's game against West Ham.

During the week Jane and her team will also be promoting Stop Hate UK and the 3 dedicated support services she commissions to provide care for victims; the Anthony Walker Foundation, Daisy Inclusive UK and Citizens Advice Liverpool; in communities across Merseyside.

On Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 2 leaflets drops will be held in key areas where there has been recent issues with hate crime promoting the:- 'Stop Hate UK' service. In Kensington, the Commissioner's team will join Councillors, Local Authority representatives, the Local Policing Team and representatives from Steve Biko Housing, while other members of the team will be joined by PCSO's and Knowsley Council's Community Safety team to carry out activity in Kirkby

Jane said:- "National Hate Crime Awareness Week is an important date in the calendar for me. It gives us all the opportunity to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of our communities, while coming together to reaffirm and renew our commitment to challenging and tackling acts inspired by hate of all kind. At a time when our country and indeed the world is deeply divided, it is more essential than ever that we remain vigilant to combat discrimination, racism and prejudice and I'm delighted that our fantastic football clubs and a host of other partners across the Region are uniting with me to take this message to thousands of people across Merseyside. Hate crimes are known to have devastating, long term consequences for those who are targeted. We also know that if hate fuelled attitudes are not tackled at an early stage they can escalate and lead to very serious crimes. However, sadly most people who experience hate crime still do not report it. Nobody should suffer fear, intimidation and abuse because of who they are; that's why I am uniting with Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers football clubs to show hate crime the red card and urge anyone who has been subjected to hate not to suffer silence. Contact Merseyside Police, or, if for any reason you don't feel comfortable speaking to the Police, please do reach out to Stop Hate UK."

The PCC has also written a letter of support for the national Hate Crime Awareness Week campaign and made a video pledge for the #Betterthanthat campaign being run in St Helens.

Everton Football Club back NSPCC campaign

THE charity is encouraging parents to become more informed about their children's sports during Parents in Sport Week 2019; an event which celebrates positive parental involvement in youth sport.

Julie Lloyd, Head of Safeguarding at Everton Football Club said:- "We see 1st hand the positive impact that sports participation has on children, and we have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure that all young people taking part in sport at Everton are given the opportunity to thrive in a safe, fun and inclusive environment. An important part of providing this positive environment involves ensuring that parents understand what safeguarding is, and where to turn if they have a safeguarding concern. We are very happy to support the NSPCC's Sports Parents Promise and encourage all parents to sign the pledge and find out more about how they can support their children."

As part of this year's Parents in Sports Week, that ran between 7 October to 13 October 2019, the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is urging parents to sign the Sports Parents Promise to help them choose a safe club for their children and ensure they have a positive influence when participating from the sidelines.

Nick Slinn, director of the Child Protection in Sport Unit, said:- "Sport forms a huge part of childhood for many young people, and at the NSPCC we believe that children should be free to enjoy their time at clubs and activities in a safe environment where they can achieve to the best of their ability. It is clear from our research that parents do not always know how to address any concerns they have. We introduced the Sports Parents Promise because it is essential for everyone to play their part in protecting children, and making every sporting experience a positive one. We want to make it easier for parents to know how they can support a safer sports environment and give them confidence to act when needed."

Every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding officer as well as a safeguarding policy, and the NSPCC is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact in their children's sport if they have any questions or concerns.

The Sports Parents Promise offers parents helpful guidance on what makes a safe sports club, how to respond if they have any worries or concerns, and how to show positive sideline behaviour when attending games and tournaments.

The NSPCC's CPSU website also has detailed guidance on what to look for in a sports club, and questions to ask, including:-

►  Are the club's policies and procedures available for parents to read, including how they deal with concerns over poor practice and abuse?

►  Does the club have a welfare or safeguarding officer as a contact for any concerns?

►  Do they have written standards for good practice, such as a code of conduct?

►  Has the club asked for essential medical and emergency contact information?

►  Has the club asked for parental consent for a child to participate?

►  What has the club done to ensure their staff are safe to work with children?

►  The NSPCC also offers support and guidance through the helpline, on:- 0808 800 5000 or on email at:- Help@NSPCC.Org.UK.

For clubs and other activity providers the NSPCC offers support in developing, improving and assessing their safeguarding policies. For more information, sports club staff and volunteers can visit:- TheCPSU.Org.UK.