The Scottish Government has launched the Hate Hurts campaign, supported by Police Scotland, to show the impact of hate crime on victims and encourage those who have witnessed a hate crime to report it.
Importantly, the campaign was informed by lived experience. Hate crime can significantly alter how people live their lives, including fears around leaving their home and avoiding public places where they no longer feel safe. No one should be made to feel this way.
Scotland’s hate crime law is in place to protect those who need it. The law recognises hate crimes as motivated by prejudice based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variations in sex characteristics.
From 01 April 2024, the hate crime law is changing in Scotland. Age will be added to the above list of characteristics and the existing offence of stirring up racial hatred will be extended to cover all other characteristics.
For more information about these legislative changes, please click here (linked for your convenience).
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