Thread by @WeAreFairCop

At a webinar about hate crime in Scotland! Now listening to a 'tactical hate crime adviser' from Glasgow who is talking about role of police Scotland.

Interestingly and worrying, they are going to talk about impact of hate crime on CHILDREN. And urge all questions to be 'respectful'. This is an emotive topic which you may find upsetting.

Learning objectives - for attendees to define a hate crime, to name the protected characteristics and identify different types of crime that can be motivated by prejudice and guide you through the hate crime form.

Now a video where members of the public talk about hate crime! 'Behaviour that attacks the person as different'. 'Mental or physical abuse of a person based on their race or belief' 'crimes from prejudiced people'.

'something malicious towards someone's race or gender'
Now scarey picture of an eye urging us to REPORT IT.

Police Scotland def - any crime perceived by the victim or another as being motivated by malice or ill will to a social group'. ANY crime can have 'hate crime' aggravator attached to it.

'perceived' is important - the way something is regarded, understood or interpreted. You don't need to be identify yourself as transgender to be victim - what matters is the PERCEIVED motivation of the offender.

'motivated by malice or ill will' - generally just being nasty. 'social groups' covers all protected characteristics. There doesn't need to be an individual victim. E.g. vandalism of a pub frequented by LGBT community would be classified as a hate crime!

Even if no individual is marked out as a victim....

But now saying the impact on victims is greater as more likely to be targeted and personal, less likely to be random? how does this marry up?

Officers are required to take preventative measures even if no crime is apparent ???

Race is based on skin colour, nationality or ethnic origins. Race includes asylum seekers, refugees and travellers. It means 'cultural identity'. Ethnicity is different to race? physical characteristics?

I have only just noticed he is talking about 'religion' not 'erogen'. Apologies for my racism but this Scottish accent is hard sometimes.

Different religions have different beliefs and in many regions is the defining characteristic. ?

Sexual orientation is based on attraction to individuals of the same GENDER. Sexual orientation can only be determined by the individual. Eg lesbian, gay, asexual and queer!

Transgender is an umbrella term for those who conflict with norms of society - includes non binary and cross dressing people.

Disability includes any disability - physical or mental. Now referring to definition in the Equality Act which is weird, as you certainly aren't respecting the PC of sexual orientation from that Act.

Disabled people are the world's largest minority and anyone can become a member at any time! Be mindful that all are not visible.

97% disability crime under or not reported. 1 in 5 Scottish people are disabled. Majority acquire disability later in life. 1 in 4 people affected by mental ill health.

Types of crime that can be covered under hate crime. Legal obligation on police to investigate hate crimes and for them to prosecuted by prosecutor fiscal.

Goes from use of social media, on line abuse on Facebook and Twitter etc. Vandalism, graffiti and damage to property. Threatening, intimidating behaviour, harassment, assault, murder.

Eg a swastika is spray painted on a synagogue. The crime would be vandalism with perceived anti Semitic aggravator. Assault on gay couple shouting 'gays are not welcome' Crime is assault with sexual orientation hate aggravator.

Impact on victims affects family relationships, health and well being. Sense of isolation as friends and relatives less likely to visit. Children not allowed to play outside and had problems at school. <in what context is this?>

Hate crimes are 'message crimes' - sending a message to all those with same characteristics. As a society we need to be very, very mindful of that. <so interesting to see 'use of social media' on the list that ends with murder>

Now being advised to look out for change in behaviour and demeanour of a young person in your house. Trying to remove them from their phone is like trying to remove a limb. Sit down and have conversations. <not sure what is going on now? Children as victims on line?>

Is prepared to admit that not all withdrawn behaviour may be due to bullying or hate crime 'we need to be as involved in their world as we can so we can protect them'. <hmmm. What age bracket is this?>

We must know passwords to young people's phones so we can keep them safe. I pay for children's phones, they are mine but I give them to my children. To keep them safe I have access. Sounds like an invasion of privacy but I let them know I am going in! <bloody hell>

<how old are these 'young people'? If 16 plus that is really creepy>

Now encouraging us all to report, report, report. Third party reporting centres throughout Glasgow. Phone, in person or online form. Keep Safe Scotland app.

don't worry if you can't remember as this will all be on YouTube.

They are going through this step by step by step.

You can be anonymous but please give us as much detail as possible.

so what happens when you report a hate crime? Form submitted to police Scotland. We record incident on systems. Investigate circs to see if crime is committed or hate incident.

if anonymous report we utilised it for intelligence as intelligence based policing is a must, so we can have impact on society. <But what about the quality of the intelligence?>

If we have enough evidence we will arrest and charge individual with hate crime and submit form to Procurator Fiscal. they consider police report and decide if sufficient evidence to proceed and what action is appropriate - prosecution, warning, fine, community payback.

PF can decide to take no action but victim can ask this to be reviewed. No action usual if lack of evidence. If court is appropriate, the PF decides which court. Depends on nature of offence and sentencing options.

If it involves a child, can be referred to another agency.

Purpose of this seminar to get you to know what a hate crime is and how to report it. Because, of course, 'intelligence' led policing is a must.

OK, I'm Zoomed out now. Off to the haberdashery. Laters, hate crime reporters!

'hate crime in any form is never acceptable. No one should ever suffer or tolerate it. It is an abhorrent offence that has lasting effect. Can be underreported so please report it. We will take it very seriously'.

o dear before I go - first question is 'can a young person report something anonymously to those on campus, as revealing their id may put them off'

As a campus officer, do you think young people are more aware and more willing to report?
<start them young>