Project to prevent hate crimes occurring in schools

A new project has been launched in Wales to help school children in Wales and their teachers learn to better identify and respond to hate speech and misinformation, and to ensure schools nurture ethical, informed citizens.

£350,000 of the Welsh Government’s European Transition Fund is being invested into the Hate Crime in Schools project which will be delivered through the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

Hate crime reporting has increased year-on-year since the Welsh Government published its Tackling Hate Crimes and Incidents Framework in 2014. The project is part of a package of additional support being provided over the coming 18 months to help to prevent hate crimes and incidents, and mitigate their effects on victims and communities in Wales.

The WLGA will work with partners with the expertise to visit schools across the country to encourage critical thinking skills and challenge myths which children may have heard. This will be achieved in approximately 100 schools during the 2019/2020 academic year.

Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt said: "Together we’re working to build a strong and diverse society here in Wales, where people of any race or faith are valued for their character and their actions. We all want to help create a peaceful and harmonious country where our children and future generations can thrive.

"We hope this project can support our children and young people to develop critical thinking skills which will enable them to question hateful narratives wherever they encounter them. The project will also aim to equip school staff with the skills to challenge hate crime and support victims when it occurs in school."

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