Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group Minutes: June 2024

Attendees and apologies

Siobhian Brown MSP – Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Chair)

Equality Network

SHRC (Observer)

Equality Network

Glasgow Disability Alliance   

COPFS

COSLA

Respectme

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) (Observer)

Interfaith Scotland

Education Scotland

Police Scotland

CEMVO

YouthLink Scotland

 

Scottish Government Officials

Hate Crime Team

Communications Team

Private Office

Apologies

Age Scotland

Equality Network

COSLA

BEMIS

Education Scotland

Glasgow Disability Alliance

COPFS

Items and actions

Welcome

1. The Minister welcomed all attendees to the meeting of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group, noting it was the first time the group had met since commencement of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, and thanked them for continued support.

Hate Crime Strategy Delivery – Reflections on activity since January 2024 

2. A discussion paper, shared with members ahead of the meeting, outlined activity since January 2024, including:
   • commencement of the Hate Crime Act;
   • recruitment of researchers into tackling the barriers to reporting and prevention and community cohesion;
   • engagement with local authorities on a toolkit to address hate crime and strengthen community cohesion and third-party reporting;
   • the Scottish Government launched a national marketing campaign, ‘Hate Hurts,’ to raise awareness of hate crime and how to report it.
3. Members reflected on the amount of misinformation and commentary following the implementation of the Hate Crime Act. Members raised that there is a requirement for continued proactive and accessible messaging that sets out the accurate purpose and intention of the legislation.

Hate Crime Strategy Delivery – Proposed activity until January 2025

4. A discussion paper, shared with members ahead of the meeting, outlined delivery activity for the next six months, including actions to: 

• develop clear, positive, and accessible communications activity on the Hate Crime Act;
• publish the impact evaluation of the ‘Hate Hurts’ campaign;
• support National Hate Crime Awareness Week;
• undertake research on tackling the barriers to reporting and prevention and community cohesion;
• engage with local authorities to refine resource;
• continue to review, refresh and rebrand third-party reporting.

5. Officials provided an overview of the evaluation results for the ‘Hate Hurts’ marketing campaign. Members were encouraged by the strong results, though highlighted the importance of exploring the options for the best way to engage in lived experience research, noting the potential impact this could have on individuals sharing their experiences.
6. Education Scotland provided an update on the development of a resource for professionals in schools and youth-work settings, sharing some of the key concerns in this area.
7. Members highlighted activity including Scottish Interfaith Week (this year with a theme of 'Discovery') and the United Voices Network. Officials will engage with interested members on potential activity for National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
8. Scottish Human Rights Commission advised that they are engaged in the upcoming review of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), and the Minister confirmed that she would consider the reports when published.
9. Members were content to sign off the paper outlining delivery actions until January 2025, though highlighted the importance of engaging with communities, including through online and in-person engagements.  
10. The group agreed to meet again in January 2025, to measure progress and agree new activity until June 2025.

AOB

11. No other business was raised by members.

Actions:-

• Officials to arrange date for next meeting of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group.
• Officials to engage with members on National Hate Crime Awareness Week activity.
• Officials to connect YouthLink Scotland, and COSLA to discuss development of resources.  
• Officials to engage with EHRC on research into Community Cohesion.
• Officials and delivery partners to progress activity outlined within the discussion paper, as agreed by the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group.