Law Commission visit Newcastle as part of Hate Crime Review
Visit will take place at Newcastle University between 10-2pm and the commissioners will hear from over 40 women who will speak directly to the Commission to feed in their experiences of misogyny, islamophobia and intersectional hate crime.
- Community organising group - which includes groups from Newcastle Central Mosque, West End Women and Girls and Newcastle University - has been campaigning for stronger Hate Crime laws, successfully bid for the hearing to be held in the North East.
Today the Law Commission will visit Newcastle for an evidence hearing as part of their review into hate crime law. The Commissioners will hear from the experiences of over 40 women who are all belong to members Tyne and Wear Citizens, such as Newcastle Central Mosque, West End Women and Girls Centre and Newcastle University.
Tyne and Wear Citizens, part of community organising charity, has been ne Mayor campaigning for stronger Hate Crime laws since 2016. Earlier this month the group won a Hate Crime Charter for public transport providers and secured commitment from North of Tyne Mayor to put a system in place for businesses to be recognised for taking a stance against hate.
Taj Khan, member of Newcastle Central Mosque and leader with Tyne and Wear Cit i zens, said: “The sisters at Newcastle Central mosque are pleased to welcome the law commissioners for their first ever visit to Newcastle to hear our views on hate crime law. Hate crime against Muslim women in public places has surged recently, particularly Hiijabi women, who are easily identifiable as Muslim.”
Amina Razak, Researcher at University of Sunderland, said: “My recent research with young Muslim women in Sunderland highlighted the intersectional nature of hate crime; being viewed with suspicion, the fear of being attacked and street harassment has become a lived reality of their everyday lives. Living in Sunderland and conversing with many Muslim women I am aware that they do not feel that the law adequately supports them or recognises the complex nature of their experiences. Citizens UK is working with the Law Commission comes at a crucial time when hate crime is predicted to escalate with Brexit.”
Rochelle Artus, Newcastle Women and Girls Centre, said: “We’re looking forward to sharing evidence with the Law Commission today. As part of our work at the Women and Girls Centre, we constantly hear experiences of sexual harassment on women and girls across the city. Today’s hearing is a great opportunity to truly have our voices heard and strengthen hate crime laws.”