Bridgend Blue Bulls, who play in the Welsh Rugby League Conference are tackling hate crime by promoting the Safer Wales Anti Hate Crime Project.
Simon Green Disability Hate Crime Campaigner and Blue Bulls Manager said
”When I was told I could never walk unaided again I knew my life would change. I never thought that having to use a wheelchair would result in hostility and aggression. I never thought that being disabled would lead to people verbally abusing me, mocking me and being physically assaulted. I do as much as I possibly can to raise awareness of this crime. When I am not campaigning across Wales, I manage the Bridgend Blue Bulls Rugby League team and we decided to provide free sponsorship to promote the Safer Wales Hate Crime Project”
Less than 1 and 4 hate crimes across Wales are reported. Many thousands of people experience verbal abuse and physical attack daily, because of who they are.
Safer Wales has a hate crime reporting system where anyone who is harassed because of differences, can report their incident through a third party reporting system. The system has been running for over three years and reports of hate crime are on the increase.
“We are delighted the Bridgend Blue Bulls are supporting the Safer Wales Hate Crime Project. We know that sport can influence so many people and provide positive messages to communities across Wales. Many people who experience hate crime do not wish to share information, or do not know where to go, and sadly some people just accept it. This is why the support of the Bridgend Blue Bulls makes a big difference, and hopefully inspire others not to put up with hate crime, which has no place in our society” Mark Williams. Anti Hate Crime Project Coordinator, Safer Wales.
In 2010 the total number of hate cases reported to the Welsh police was just over 1800 but based on research estimates of the real number of attacks in Wales would be at least 9000 and probably more.
BEING YOU IS NOT A CRIME, HARRASSING YOU IS REPORT HATE AT WWW.SAFERWALES.COM
