The purpose of the seminar is to aid understanding of what constitutes a hate crime, the impact that such crimes have on the victim, their family and the wider community.

The seminar is timely to respond to the surging growth of hate crime with reported incidents having risen 57% in the aftermath of the EU referendum vote. In response the Government has committed extra funding for the Crown Prosecution Service to deal with the number of hate-based attacks, with prosecutors given new guidance on how to deal with crimes aggravated by prejudice.

Our keynote speaker is Sylvia Lancaster, mother of Sophie Lancaster who was murdered in Rossendale in 2007 due to her lifestyle choice. Sylvia was awarded an OBE for her work on Community Cohesion and tackling hate crime through education, not just in schools, but within professional organisations including the police, housing and hate crime partnerships.

Other speakers include Paul Giannasi, National Police Hate Crime Advisor as well as Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Yorkshire & Humber Crown Prosecution Service.

Delegates will also be provided an opportunity to attend a number of workshops facilitated by practitioners covering strands of hate crime.

The seminar will be thought provoking, it will provide an opportunity to learn from other partners and share good practice.

Programme

09.30 - 10.00

Registration and refreshments

10.00

Welcome and housekeeping

Caroline Jones, Chair of Calderdale Hate Crime Partnership (MC)

10.05

Opening address

John Rees, Chief Executive and Principal, Calderdale College

Tim Swift, Leader for Calderdale Council

10.10

Donovan Christopher

Rapp Artist

10.15

Setting the scene

Zohrah Zancudi, Director, Public Services, Calderdale Council

10.20

Dealing with hate crimes and support for victims

West Yorkshire Police

10.30

Prosecutions of hate crimes and uplifts

Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Yorkshire & Humber Crown Prosecution Service

10.50

Donovan Christopher

Rapp Artist

11.05

Break for Coffee/networking

11.25

Paul Gianassi, National Police Hate Crime Advisor

Tackling hate crime nationally

11.45

Young Person’s perspective on hate crime

11.55

Donovan Christopher

Rapp Artist

12.00

Lunch

13.00

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sylvia Lancaster (Mother of Sophie Lancaster)

13.40

Workshops (TBC)

Workshop 1 – Dealing with hate crimes

Workshop 2 – Support for LGBT+ victims

Workshop 3 – Anti-Muslim and Anti-Semitic hate crime

Workshop 4 – Alternative Sub Cultures

14.20

Feedback from workshops

14.45

Panel, Questions and Answers

15.00

Closing remarks

Caroline Jones, Chair of Calderdale Hate Crime Partnership

FAQs

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

If you have any access or dietary needs please contact shameem.suleman@calderdale.gov.uk