1,000 students learn about no space for hate  

There is no space for hate in Waltham Forest, with over 1,000 students across the borough having now received bystander intervention training to empower them to stand against intolerance.

The Council’s bystander intervention training program, part of the No Space for Hate campaign, has visited schools including Thomas Gamuel School, and Salisbury Manor Primary. During these sessions, staff discuss Hate Crime with students (and teachers) to find out what it may look like, it’s physical and mental effects, and what action to take if you are ever a witness to or victim of hate crime.  

So, what is hate crime?  

The term 'hate crime' can be used to describe a range of criminal behaviour where the reason for the crime is driven by aggression towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Cllr Vicky Ashworth, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Social Inclusion and Equalities said: “This programme is so important. We do not tolerate hate in our borough, and we are empowering young people to stand up against it. Often in classrooms and playgrounds, intolerance can be disguised as insults or jokes. It is essential for young people to know that this is not OK and that we should all stick up for each other if we see someone being targeted.’”  

Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety added: “Our schools programme also allows us to listen to our young people’s experiences, understanding what they are experiencing in Waltham Forest, so we can put the right support services in place. Nobody deserves hate because of who they are, and we are proud to say we have no space for hate.”

Do you know what to do if you are ever a victim of or witness to hate crime? For more information on No Space For Hate go to Hate crime | London Borough of Waltham Forest