The BC government, in partnership with the BC Hate Crimes Team and Abbotsford Community Services, has launched the Know Hate campaign and resource to raise awareness about online hate crime, Teresa Wat, Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism announced today.
This resource - available at www.HateCrimeBC.ca - provides information for the public about what constitutes a hate crime, reporting information and links to resources for victims.
The Know Hate campaign - available in print, social media, television, radio and transit ads - will run for six weeks in communities throughout British Columbia including Vancouver, Victoria, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna and Prince George.
In November 2013, Abbotsford Community Services was awarded a $150,000 contract to develop the campaign. The social service agency fosters community well-being and social justice through positive action and leadership.
Wat stated to media that "The Know Hate campaign and resource will help educate people about hate crime - how to recognize it and how to report it. As Canada's most ethnically diverse province, BC benefits greatly from its diverse population. There are still people who lack the openness to accept different beliefs, backgrounds or lifestyle choices and this sometimes lead to hate. Hate crimes are not acceptable."
A hate crime is defined as a criminal offence motivated by hate towards an identifiable group. According to Statistics Canada (2011 report), the primary motive of over half (52%) of all incidents of hate crime in Canada is race or ethnicity. The second-highest motivation is religion (25%).
Communities in British Columbia are increasingly culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse with immigrants now accounting for approximately 27% of our population and an additional 5% comprised of indigenous Aboriginal populations.
The purpose of EmbraceBC public education is to engage the public around issues of racism, multiculturalism and inclusion and to facilitate awareness and understanding of the social, cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity throughout British Columbia.
The BC Hate Crime Team was created in 1996 with a mandate to ensure the effective identification, investigation and prosecution of crimes motivated by hate.
Manpreet Grewal, director of Multicultural and Immigration Integration Services with Abbotsford Community Services -
"Hate has always been a disease in our society, albeit in different forms, shapes and degrees over the years. Its new face on the internet can be dangerous and we are pleased to be a part of the process in raising awareness and providing information and online tools to combat it."
