A now annual anti-hate campaign has returned for its second year.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) announced the launch of #NoHateInHalton. It’s a collaborative campaign that features the Halton District School Board (HDSB), Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB), Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, Crime Stoppers of Halton, and more. The campaign will run in over 180 schools and learning facilities across the region, and on social media.
#NoHateInHalton aims to bring awareness, not only to the issue of hate and bias-motivated incidents, but to the range of supports available to victims or those negatively affected. It also addresses factors that lead to individuals exhibiting hateful behavior and the impact of hate on community safety and well-being.
“Eliminating all forms of hate in Halton Region, and better supporting victims and communities impacted by it, is a key priority for our Service and our partners,” says Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner. “The #NoHateInHalton campaign is one of many strategies and initiatives that supports our ongoing commitment to bring anti-hate awareness and education to the broader community of Halton,” added Chief Tanner.
This year’s campaign will also include social media and video messaging developed by the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a group comprised of student representatives from area schools. Their video was previewed at the kick-off event and can be viewed here.
#NoHateInHalton messages will focus on the following topics:
- Eliminating hate and bias motivated incidents,
- Encouraging individuals to report an incident that is motivated by hate or bias,
- Building a sense of community within schools across the region,
- Encouraging students and staff to work collaboratively to eliminate hate within the schools, and support impacted individuals and groups; and,
- Reducing the stigma that is often associated with victims of hate and bias-motivated incidents, and removing any barriers to reporting those incidents.
#NoHateInHalton posters have been posted at learning facilities across the region to heighten awareness of the campaign. Stickers featuring a QR code to Halton Crime Stopper’s website, where incidents motivated by hate or bias can be reported anonymously, to help reduce any barriers to reporting incidents, have also been placed.
Members of the community are encouraged to join the conversation on social media with posts about how they are embracing respect and inclusion using the hashtag, #NoHateInHalton.
The public is also encouraged to visit the Hate and Bias Motivated Crime webpage on HaltonPolice.ca for information about Hate and Bias Motivated Crimes and the Halton Regional Police Service’s commitment to eliminating these types of incidents from our communities.
The campaign will run until Friday, March 24th.
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