Agencies, partners and member of the community from across the city of Wolverhampton and further afield, were invited to attend the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) Tackling Hate Crime Together conference on 11^th November 2011.

Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by bias against a particular social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, social status or political affiliation.

The conference, organised by Kim Payne, on behalf of the EDF, said it was of particular importance.  “We needed to raise awareness about hate crime, and imparticular to encourage anyone who has experienced any form of hate crime to report it and access support.  We hoped the day would engage some harder to reach community groups, and reinforce the condemnation of extremism and terrorism.” Councillor Claire Darke opened the conference, followed by a moving performance from Zip Theatre, which demonstrated the realities of experiencing and living with hate crime.  Speakers at the event were some of those who work locally and regionally with hate crime, to include Rewind, Stop Hate UK and Victim Support.The event brought together representatives from West Midlands Police, Wolverhampton Homes, Wolverhampton Safer Partnership, and Wolverhampton City Councils Equalities Champion who all signed up to the One City, Many People – Working Together to Stop Hate Crime pledge, which is the basis for the launch of a multi agency hate crime booklet.  The pledge will be used as the opening statement in the booklet, demonstrating how partners are working together in the city to tackle hate crime.  Talking about the conference, Councillor Darke said, “This was a vibrant and stimulating event.  It drew the many different groups and diverse organisations of Wolverhampton together, recognising Hate Crime as a real crime and not to be tolerated. The conference is the start - there is lots of work to be done. Working together we can beat hate crime.”For more information about the EDF, or the conference, please contact Kim Payne at Network Consortium on 01902 572056, or email kpayne@w-n-c.org.