Stop Hate UK is pleased to announce the launch of its 24-hour Stop Hate Line helpline service across Northamptonshire. The service which is being funded by generous and ongoing donations from local individuals and businesses, provides support and reassurance to anyone being targeted because of who they are.
Stop Hate UK is working in partnership with many local organisations including local Councils, Northampton Town Football Club, The University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Police, NHS, and other local charities. A series of events are planned over the coming months to raise awareness of the services now available across Northamptonshire. It has also been named as one of the West Northamptonshire’s Council Chairman’s charities for the year.
Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK, said: “All forms of Hate Crime are significantly under-reported and some individuals and even whole communities are reluctant or unwilling to talk to the police or their council.
The Stop Hate Line, plus our other range of reporting channels, gives victims and witnesses of Hate Crime and Hate Incidents a safe and independent place to talk about their experiences and to explore their options for taking things further.”
Rose continued:
“We can support people who feel they have nowhere else to turn or when other services are closed or busy. We are committed to working with agencies and organisations across the County to reach more people.
Contact with the helpline, or other reporting channels, might be the first time an individual has talked to someone about the things they are experiencing. Other people may have tried to get help but find they are not satisfied with the response they received. No one should have to suffer Hate, harassment or discrimination in silence.
People can contact the Stop Hate Line anonymously if they prefer. Where someone has chosen to give their personal details to Stop Hate UK, their trained team will ask who they want their details to be shared with. The charity can also share information with the police and council or with local support agencies, with consent, to ensure that those affected by Hate, harassment or discrimination in any way, can access the support they need.
The Stop Hate Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 138 1625. The helpline is also available by text message on 07717 989 025 and by email to talk@stophateuk.org.
Service users can also report via interactive BSL if required. People can call or use the BSL, chat or webform facility on our website www.stophateuk.org. Just go to report hate crime page
Stop Hate UK is a national charity that provides independent and confidential support to people who are affected by all forms of Hate, harassment and discrimination. The Stop Hate Line is Stop Hate UK’s Hate Crime reporting and support helpline. Anyone in Northamptonshire can contact the Stop Hate Line to talk about how they have been directly or indirectly affected.
The charity, whose Patron is Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, of Clarendon in the Commonwealth Realm of Jamaica, and ambassadors are Canon Mark Oakley Dean of Southwark and Gary Powell, Musician and Producer. set up the Stop Hate Line in 2006 in direct response to Recommendation 16 of the Macpherson Report (the enquiry into the handling of the death of Stephen Lawrence) states that victims and witnesses should be able to report Hate Incidents 24 hours a day and to someone other than the police.
