Putting an end to hate crimes
Posted Apr 11, 2011 1:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Organized by the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, a full day of activities are planned, Monday, to mark Hate Crimes Awareness Day in Calgary.
The Co-Chair of Hate Crimes Awareness Day, Doug Jones, tells 660News hate crimes can take on many variations.
“Any crime can be hated motivated,” Jones says. “It’s when people are targetted because of their skin colour, their religion, their sexual orientation, ethnicity, that kind of thing. That’s what we’re trying to make sure people start to realize.”
He adds a hate crime is designed to strike fear or terror into people, and its victims have unique needs in their treatment of the problem.
“We’re trying to ensure there’s an appropriate, consistent response for victims of hate across our province,” adds Jones. “So” (we’re) “wanting to make sure that police all have the same kind of training, that if you’re a victim of a hate crime, no matter where you are in our province, you can expect an appropriate, strong response from the police.”
Jones points out that many people don’t realize the magnitude of a hate crime conviction.
“I think what’s important for people to realize is that if a crime makes it through court, under the penalty section of 718 of the Criminal Code, those who are convicted of a hate-motivated crime face a significant penalty, says Jones who adds a hate crime affects the entire community.
Hate Crimes Awareness Day events are also being held Monday in Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer.
