Wyre hate crime expert to address European conference

The example of just what can be achieved when victims are given the appropriate means to report abuse will be outlined by project leader Dr Lewis Turner in Strasbourg on November 18.

Dr Turner, who is Hate Crime Officer for Wyre Borough Council, has been invited to speak about hate crime at an experts meeting with the European Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, which will look specifically at the human rights of transgender people.

Delegates will hear how hate crime reporting in Wyre has increased by 58% since the project was launched in July 2007.

Victims can report incidents in confidence to project officers at 15 agencies across the borough and have the choice of whether or not to involve the police. They can also receive help and advice on how to deal with any abuse, physical or verbal, that is directed at them.

Dr Turner will also speak about how legislation and social change in the UK is making a big difference in his capacity as Vice President of Press for Change, a lobbying group that campaigns for equality and human rights for all trans people.

He said: "The UK is leading the whole of Europe in terms of hate crime legislation and I feel honoured to have been asked to show other countries how it's done.

Wyre's hate crime project is run by the Wyre Community Safety Partnership and funded jointly by Wyre Borough Council and Wyre Housing Association, part of the Regenda Group.

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of hate crime can contact a project officer in confidence on 01253 887236 or visit the website at www.mywyre.co.uk/hatecrime.