National Hate Crime Awareness Week in Kingston
Councillor Afy Afilaka, Portfolio Holder for Commissioning, Customer Contact and Equalities, emphasises Kingston's commitment to being a safe and welcoming borough for all.
“As we mark this year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week (12-19 October), I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm Kingston’s commitment to being a safe and supportive borough for all, where we challenge discrimination in all its forms.
“Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in London and we are committed to working with partners to make it even safer for all communities. We recognise that our whole community has a part to play in ensuring hate crime is not tolerated.
“Kingston is a place where difference and diversity is celebrated and valued, and we are extremely proud of the richness this brings to life across the borough.
“Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Inclusive Kingston highlights how we will champion diverse communities and learn from each other as we strive for an even fairer, even safer borough. It also sets out how we work with partners and communities to understand and monitor hate crime and support those affected.
“We work with partners such as Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC) and the Anti Hate Crime Action Group to tackle discrimination and hate crime and to promote equality of opportunity and strong and positive community relations.
“This year Kingston Council and the Anti-Hate Crime Action Group have developed a community pledge which aims to send a clear message that hate will not be tolerated in our borough. We all have a role to play in tackling hate and discrimination, you can learn more and sign up for the pledge here.
“Kingston is also a place that welcomes everyone. We pride ourselves on providing sanctuary to refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable families and are committed to welcoming and including them in the life of the borough. That’s why we are working towards becoming a ‘Borough of Sanctuary’, through the national charity ‘City of Sanctuary’.
“So this Hate Crime Awareness Week, please join me reaffirming your commitment to actively working together to challenge all forms of hate by signing our community pledge. And if you or anyone you know has been affected by hate crime, you can find information about how to report it, as well as advice and support if you have been affected, on our website.”