About this campaign
The aim of the 'Together Against Hate' campaign is to raise awareness of hate crime and the harm it does to members and their families.
How to support the campaign
Every year in October there is National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which seeks to shine a light on the issue faced by many in the UK.
You can get involved by organising events, being part of the service at St Paul’s Cathedral and pledging your support on our website so we can use the evidence to back the campaign.
Hate crime continues to rise in England & Wales
Since 2013, there has been a rise in hate crime across England and Wales, from around 40,000 reported cases to around 140,000 in 2023.
The overwhelming majority of hate crimes are race hate crimes. Race hate crimes account for over three-quarters of all offences reported.
More than 1 in 10 hate crimes involve more than one ‘motivating factor’ (for example, race and disability or sexual orientation). The two most common factors in the majority of these offences are race and religious belief. Almost half of all religious hate crimes are targeted against Muslim people. The second most commonly targeted group are Jewish people.
At a time when some seek to divide working people, Usdaw’s messages are simple – together we are stronger and we have more in common than that which divides us.
Defining hate crimes
Many of our members have experienced hate crime either at work or in their communities, with Black and Asian and LGBT+ members being at particular risk.
You can also be a victim of hate crime if the perpetrator thinks you have one of these characteristics, even if you don’t. So for instance you could be attacked because someone thinks you are gay or Muslim or transgender even if you are not. This means anyone can experience hate crime.
Hate crime is a growing problem with several charities reporting a surge in the past week and a rise in the number of incidents over the last five years across the UK.
The term 'hate crime' means any criminal behaviour where the perpetrator (the person carrying out the crime) is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. These aspects of a person's identity are known as 'protected characteristics'. It can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and bullying, as well as damage to property.
- Crown Prosecution Service
An injury to one is an injury to all
The recent surge in extreme right-wing activity over the past week has led to an alarming rise in incidents of race hate crime.
Usdaw recognises that the far right consistently targets it’s hate at specific groups including Black, ethnic and religious minority groups, migrants and refugees, women, LGBT+ people and trade unionists.
Scapegoating ‘minorities’ has long been used as a tactic to divert public attention away from government failures to address pressing social issues and rising inequalities, dividing working people, setting them against one another and fanning the flames of racism and hatred.
The rise of the far right is deeply troubling but can be challenged. Throughout our history trade unions have been at the forefront of the struggle against the far right and it’s attempt to divide working people using narratives of hate and blame.
In order to effectively combat this, we need to be clear as a movement that, in line with our core value of equality, we stand together with all workers and oppose all forms of hate without exception.
Unity is strength. Solidarity.
How to report a hate crime
In an emergency – where a hate crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger – you should always call 999.
You can report a hate crime directly to the police by calling the non-emergency number 101.
Hate crimes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can be reported to the Police online through True Vision at report-it.org.uk
People living in Scotland should use the Police Scotland online reporting form.
If you need any help reporting a crime you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or call the Usdaw Helpline: 0800 030 80 30.
In addition, you can report hate crime to the following independent organisations who support those communities most at risk and offer an alternative way of reporting if you don’t want to report to the police, including:
- Stop Hate UK (all hate crime).
- Tell Mama (anti-Muslim hate crime).
- Community Security Trust (anti-Semitic hate crime).
- GALOP (anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime).
If the incident happens at work, talk to your Usdaw rep and your manager.
