Hate Crime Strategy delivery plan 2023 to 2026: implementation review

Introduction

This report provides an overview of implementation of the first Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan, in support of the Hate Crime Strategy. The strategy set out our vision for a Scotland where everyone lives free from hatred and prejudice, and where our communities are empowered, inclusive and safe. It was published in March 2023, and was followed by the Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan in November 2023. It was developed in partnership with the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group, and informed by lived experience.

The Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group comprises a range of organisations, including third-sector, justice partners and public sector bodies: Age Scotland, BEMIS Scotland, Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO), Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Education Scotland, Equality Network, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Glasgow Disability Alliance, Interfaith Scotland, Police Scotland, respectme and YouthLink Scotland.

The Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan’s lifetime is from November 2023 to April 2026. Twelve actions were undertaken to support the three aims highlighted in the initial publication of the Hate Crime Strategy, which are:

• Aim 1: Victims of hate crime are treated with fairness, compassion and in a trauma informed manner in which their safety and recovery is a priority
• Aim 2: The nature, characteristics and extent of hate crime are more fully understood, and effectively inform appropriate interventions and policy development
• Aim 3: Communities are empowered, inclusive and safe, and the underlying causes of hate crime are challenged

This paper has been developed with input from partners and available evidence to assess how our interventions have been implemented and where they have shown signs of success. Looking ahead, we aim to understand how we can strengthen this evidence base by working with partners and wider stakeholders to explore the societal and behavioural impacts of our interventions, while recognising that such analysis requires time. Implemented actions are grouped into the three aims listed above and the report provides background as to why they were incorporated into delivery activity, and details action undertaken by the Scottish Government and partners.

Addressing hate crime supports obligations under the Equality Act 2010 which establishes the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), requiring public authorities to pay due regard to the three needs to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. In particular tackling hatred and prejudice through policy development and review, by making use of partnership working and lived experience engagement, can support the need to foster good relations between those who have a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Significant progress has been made against the Hate Crime Strategy’s three aims through the actions specified in the Delivery Plan, which will be detailed throughout this report. Certain activities have been modified from the initial 2023 plan in response to the dynamic context we have been working within and the need to adapt interventions that address hatred effectively.

The ongoing support of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group and wider stakeholders has been pivotal in advancing this programme of work. The Scottish Government recognises and holds immense gratitude for the significant and invaluable insights of these organisations, throughout delivery.

However, we recognise that more must be done to tackle hatred and prejudice in Scotland. We will build on current progress as we work with partners and communities to understand the next iteration of delivery and what this might look like.