Hate Crime Strategy delivery plan 2023 to 2026: implementation review

Aim Three

Communities are empowered, inclusive and safe and the underlying causes of hate crime are challenged.

We want people to live in communities where equality, human rights and humanity are upheld, and where they feel they belong. Challenging prejudice and hate crime is not the responsibility of the communities that are targeted – it is for wider society. In order to effectively prevent and tackle hate crime, people need to understand what hate crime is and the impact it can have. Educating our children and young people will help set the agenda for our future society, foster community cohesion and support children and young people to develop critical thinking skills.

We recognise the important role formal and informal education can play in supporting children and young people to understand prejudicial attitudes and how they can be supported to challenge them.

Action 7

The Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group, including Scottish Government, will convene a conference before the end of 2023, bringing communities together to explore how we can work together in taking this delivery plan forward.

The conference, which acted as a launch event for the Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan, sought to build upon the lived experience engagement to continually shape and directly influence our approach to tackling prejudice and building inclusive communities.

What has been delivered?

On 20 November 2023, the Scottish Government convened the Tackling Hate Crime and Building Cohesive Communities Conference, which was hosted by the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group. The hybrid conference supported the attendance of around 130 in-person delegates and around 45 virtual attendees, who attended a range of workshops led by partners.

The conference was a true reflection of the partnership approach adopted during the development of the Hate Crime Strategy, with substantive input from each member of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group. Hybrid functionality was provided by Glasgow Disability Alliance to maximise participation, and workshops included:

• New hate crime legislation and the LGBTQI+ community (Equality Network and Police Scotland)
• New hate crime legislation and the new characteristic of Age (Age Scotland and YouthLink Scotland)
• Barriers to Reporting (Scottish Government and Police Scotland)
• Reverse Interview Workshop (CEMVO)
• Music, food, sports and art (BEMIS, Interfaith Scotland and YouthLink Scotland)
• Developing understanding and best practice through education

Wider agenda items included a panel discussion between the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Assistant Chief Constable for Policing Together, Deputy Procurator Fiscal and the CoSLA Community Spokesperson for Wellbeing. A keynote address was provided by Professor Duncan Morrow, former Chair of the Independent Review of Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion.

Shortly after the conference, delegates were sent a feedback survey. Of those who responded, 82% felt engaged and able to participate in the workshop sessions and rated their overall experience at the conference an 8 out of a possible 10. In relation to communications, 94% of respondents felt the lead-up to the conference was clear and efficient and that the conference itself ran smoothly on the day. Although delegates were happy with the accessibility and accommodations offered by the facilities (94%), the inclusivity and diversity of the event rated an average of 7.65 out of a possible 10. We will ensure this learning is applied to future events and conference activity of this type.

Action 8

Scottish Government and the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group will undertake awareness-raising activity.

What has been delivered?

To coincide with implementation of the Hate Crime Act, the Scottish Government launched the ‘Hate Hurts’ campaign which ran from 11 March until 31 March 2024.. The campaign was developed to increase awareness that hate crime is still happening in Scotland, to educate the public on the forms that it can take and the devastating impact it can have, whilst asking the Scottish public to report a hate crime if they witness one.

It was informed by audience research, which highlighted a need to clearly communicate what each of the protected characteristics in hate crime legislation were, recognise the roles that individually and collectively we all have in tackling hatred and prejudice, and challenging intolerance. The total budget for the campaign was £389,690 which covered development, production, usage, partnerships and paid-for media. It consisted of a ‘long version’ of the ‘Hate Hurts’ film as well as short version edits that depicted the characteristics protected under hate crime law.

Post-campaign evaluation was carried out by an independent research agency, which took the form of an online survey of 1,120 adults across Scotland. The findings were compiled into a report, which was published in September 2025 and can be accessed here. The campaign exceeded all four of its SMART objectives (including campaign recall, claimed action in response to the campaign, understanding that we all have a role to play in tackling hate crime and that when it comes to such behaviour there is no such thing as no harm done). Among all respondents, almost three quarters (73%) said they planned to act as a result of the campaign, including 46% who said they would report and 34% who would intervene, if they witnessed a hate crime. The evaluation also provided indications of where further work can be undertaken in future, including clarifying further the characteristics that are protected under the hate crime law in Scotland and building on the appetite to talk about hate crime/the campaign to encourage more people to act.

In late-2025, the Scottish Government developed the ‘We are Scotland’ campaign, which was informed by stakeholders. It sought to continually emphasise Scotland’s commitment to compassion, inclusion and human rights to remind the people of Scotland that we are stronger for the diversity that shapes us. This activity was supported by additional marketing activity, including ‘Scotland’s Highlights’ which looks back to celebrate the significant moments in 2025 that brought Scotland together, sharing stories that celebrate the diversity of people, ideas and achievements in Scotland.

The Scottish Government commemorates National Hate Crime Awareness Week (NHCAW) on an annual basis via cross-portfolio social media activity, Ministerial engagements, and a Statement of Support. In 2024, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety attended a meeting with the United Voices Network, hosted by YouthLink Scotland as an opportunity for young people to share their experiences in schools and the depictions of where they felt safe/unsafe. We also recognise that a range of partners undertake their own awareness-raising activity during NHCAW, including the recent LinkedIn campaign undertaken by CEMVO involving testimonies from communities on tackling hate.

The Scottish Government updates the Safer.Scot site on an annual basis, to ensure the information is up-to-date and accurate. It includes information on what a hate crime might look like, hate crime legislation, and where/how an individual might wish to report.

We also know that partners have undertaken activity of their own to raise awareness of hate crime with their communities:

• Working in partnership with Police Scotland and the charity I AM ME Scotland, COPFS created the ‘You Judge!’ resource pack: a series of five videos depicting hate crime scenarios as an interactive educational resource for S3 students and above. The videos were designed to educate young people about the impact of hate crime, both on victims and perpetrators, and the journey through the Scottish criminal justice system.
• Interfaith Scotland have hosted two conferences since publication of the Delivery Plan during Scottish Interfaith Week, including a Youth Conference in 2025 focusing on tackling discrimination and hatred and a workshop specifically on hate crime at the National Conference in 2024.
• YouthLink Scotland created a guidance document specifically for youth workers to explain the changes to hate crime legislation, and the Action on Prejudice programme, including a resource library, continually seeks to raise awareness of hate crime throughout its delivery.
• BEMIS Scotland have hosted multiple meetings of the Race Equality and Human Rights Network, raising awareness of hate crime with members during this forum by highlighting specific activity such as the CERD concluding observations and asylum policies.
• Police Scotland have identified Anti-Racism Training as essential learning for officers and staff, which was developed in consultation with various groups including non-legislative staff associations, representatives from the Scottish Police Federation and the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents.

What are the next steps?

In January 2025, the Scottish Government hosted a workshop with a range of organisations, including members of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group to discuss the development of clear, positive and accessible communications to enhance understanding of the purpose and intention of activity to tackle hatred and prejudice in Scotland. The session also explored the practicalities of ensuring that our messaging, including community reassurance, reaches those who need it most.

The session produced some key findings, including:

• A need for more proactive communications, using clear, positive, and accessible messaging that challenges misinformation, builds trust and understanding, and emphasises prevention as well as the broader hate crime strategy beyond legislation.
• An intersectional and person‑centred communications approach, using varied formats to ensure messages are accessible and meaningful for different communities and needs. Messaging should be simple and values‑driven, highlighting that we all want a society where we are able to flourish and be ourselves.
• Enhanced collaboration with partner organisations, making use of their existing networks and communication channels to share accurate information and provide reassurance. This can help reach communities with low trust in government or authorities, while being mindful of partners’ capacity.

We are committed to ensuring clear and accessible messaging on the harms caused by hatred and prejudice, the routes to justice following a hate crime, and the support available to those affected. We will continue to build upon our awareness-raising activity to challenge hatred and prejudice.

Action 9

The Scottish Government with Education Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and respectme will continue to consider how education and youth work can support children and young people to recognise prejudice and hate crime.

What has been delivered?

Education Scotland, in partnership with Scottish Government, YouthLink Scotland and respectme, developed and published two professional learning (PL) resources on Prejudice Based Behaviour and Hate Crime. Both resources are hosted within the Rights and Equalities theme of the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework. The Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Professional Learning Framework supports anyone working with children and young people in an educational context. It can also support those who work with adult learners, parents, carers, families and in community learning contexts.

The Skilled Level and Informed Level resources aim to:

• Raise awareness of prejudice-based behaviours and hate crime in education settings.
• Increase confidence in identifying early signs of prejudice-based behaviours and hate crime.
• Develop an understanding of what to do when prejudice-based behaviours and hate crime occur, including how to report them and support those affected.

A launch webinar titled, ‘Hate Crime and Prejudice Based Behaviours: New Professional Learning’ was held on Wednesday 8th October 2025. 69 participants attended. The webinar was held in October to align with hate crime awareness week and anti-bullying weeks, however, this timing is very busy for schools and we hope to hold future sessions when more practitioners can attend. 95% of evaluation respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘as a result of taking part in this professional learning, I am likely to Implement the learning in practice/use to inform practice’. Comments on the benefits of the resource included ‘Practical strategies to support pupils and staff when they have to confront these incidents. Lessons on what this type of behaviour looks like for pupil training.’

As well as with the national Teacher’s Safeguarding Network, the informed level resources were also circulated for feedback from members of the Scottish Government’s Anti-Racism in Education Programme (with notable comments from the Racism and Racist Incidents workstream). It was also shared with members of the Scottish Government’s LGBT Inclusive Education Implementation Group and the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group. Each of these groups include people with lived experiences of hate crime and/or organisations supporting people with lived experiences of hate crime.

YouthLink Scotland have been working to ensure the resource is utilised by the youth work sector by delivering the training to groups of youth workers in Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, Inverness and Ayrshire. Participants said they would ‘be able to support young people better with how to handle hate crime’ and ‘talk about hate crime more confidently with young people.’

As outlined within the Delivery Plan, the Scottish Government has continued to work with Edinburgh Interfaith Association (EIFA), on their Religion and Belief Roadshows which, supported by Police Scotland, aim to educate primary school-age children about different faiths and beliefs. The programmes seek to build resilience to, and counter, negative and hateful narratives and misconceptions of faith and minority groups to promote respect, understanding and appreciation of these communities. Around 3,000 primary pupils attend programmes annually, and with Scottish Government support these will be expanded to include Falkirk, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Perth.

What are the next steps?

Education Scotland and Scottish Government recognise that support to further disseminate the resources and build practitioner confidence on hate crime and prejudice-based bullying should continue.

Scottish Government will continue to work with partners and communities to understand what additional information and resources would be of best use to practitioners and young people.

Action 10

CoSLA and Scottish Government will undertake a joint programme of engagement to understand what local authorities would find helpful in terms of a toolkit to help address hate crime and strengthen community cohesion at a local level.

What has been delivered?

CoSLA, with support from the Scottish Government, held a range of engagement sessions with local authority partners and professional associations in 2024. The aim of the engagement sessions was to gather views from key Local Government partners and professional associations on the joint action as well as to gain a better understanding of current local practice on hate crime across different local authority service areas.

Sessions were held with local authority advisors, local authority resettlement leads (around 50 in attendance) and local authority officers working with Gypsy/Traveller communities (around 50 in attendance). The sessions were well attended, and we were able to gather feedback on existing best practice and gain an understanding on what local authorities would find useful to include in the toolkit. Further engagement/feedback with councils was obtained via a survey conducted by CoSLA which also asked for best practice examples, areas for inclusion, and who the target audience should be. CoSLA and Scottish Government also shared the toolkit with stakeholders including the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group, where members including YouthLink Scotland, BEMIS, CEMVO, Interfaith Scotland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission provided feedback.

In November 2025, CoSLA published the Understanding Hate Crime Toolkit, for local authorities. The toolkit aims to develop understanding of hate crime across local authorities, contextualise tackling hate crime within the Public Sector Equality Duty, and share best practice.

What are the next steps?

CoSLA and the Scottish Government will continue to undertake engagement, with communities and with local authorities, to understand how the toolkit is being implemented, and provide further opportunities to share best practice. The toolkit will be updated when it is needed, so our response stays flexible and relevant to the challenges communities face.

Action 11

Scottish Government and Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group members will establish a calendar of community cohesion and cultural events that celebrate days of national importance which promote inclusive and supportive communities.

What has been delivered?

In July 2025, the Scottish Government hosted a workshop with partners who had expressed interest in the development of a calendar of community cohesion and cultural events. The group considered the scope, potential activity and deliverables for the calendar (including what the calendar might look like, what sort of dates should be included, where it should be hosted and whether specific audiences should be targeted). Attendees included members of the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group.

Around this time, the Scottish Government received consistent reports from communities highlighting a range of tensions that were being experienced as both acute and locally significant. Community cohesion has been a central and enduring priority for the Scottish Government, reflected across a range of policies and actions aimed at fostering inclusion, belonging and strong, connected communities. As part of this work, the Scottish Government has sought to articulate a clear and coherent position on community cohesion and to focus on targeted, responsive action.

The Scottish Government undertook a series of actions, including partnering with the STV Children’s Appeal to distribute £300,000 announced by the Minister for Equalities in September 2025, supporting activity across Scotland to strengthen work focused on building strong, connected and inclusive communities. This work was further complemented by the We Are Scotland marketing campaign, referenced earlier in this report.

Building on this activity and with the support of a range of stakeholders, the Scottish Government has convened a Stronger Communities Week of Action in early March 2026. This draws together existing networks, cross-sector partners and lived experience insights to support the delivery of a coordinated programme of workshops, talks and training sessions over the course of the week. This activity seeks to help to strengthen collaboration, elevate community voices and inform future approaches to supporting stronger community cohesion in Scotland

In light of the changing landscape since publication of the Delivery Plan in 2023, alongside the wider volatile, uncertain and complex context and the need to prioritise immediate interventions while continuing to engage with communities and partners on longer‑term approaches to cohesion, the Scottish Government has not been able to take forward the development of the proposed calendar at this time. Notwithstanding this, significant activity has been delivered in the short term to support community cohesion across Scotland.

As was set out in the Delivery Plan, the Scottish Government has continually marked genocide memorials and highlighted the dangers of unchecked hatred and prejudice. 2025 was a significant year for commemoration of both Holocaust Memorial Day and Srebrenica Memorial Day, marking 80 and 30 years anniversary respectively.

In January 2025, in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the First Minister and Minister for Victims and Community Safety provided addresses at Holocaust Memorial Day events in the Scottish Parliament. In 2024, a range of engagements to support the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) visitation to Scotland were undertaken.

In March 2025, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety attended a delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, to visit the Srebrenica Memorial Centre with Beyond Srebrenica. The delegation emphasised the need to confront hatred, address the effect that prejudice can have and educate on the significance of remembrance. In July 2025, the Scottish Government supported a National Commemoration of the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.

What are the next steps?

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders to inform its approach to community cohesion and engagement.

Action 12

Scottish Government with Disability Equality Scotland and Police Scotland and the British Transport Police will support roll-out of Hate Crime Charter training for transport operators.

What has been delivered?

Transport Scotland fund Disability Equality Scotland to support transport operators through the promotion of the Hate Crime Charter. This training was developed prior to commencement of new hate crime legislation. The quarterly newsletter maintains focus on hate crime within transport operators and demonstrates their public commitment to raising awareness and safeguarding their passengers.

In December 2025, Transport Scotland worked with Disability Equality Scotland to launch a survey regarding hate crime on public transport. Both individuals and organisations responded to this survey. Almost half of respondents said that they had witnessed a potential hate crime or been a victim of it. Over the last ten years, four in ten respondents said that they think the level of disability hate crime has stayed the same, but over a third think it has got a lot worse.

What are the next steps?

The current Accessible Travel Framework comes to an end in 2026 and Transport Scotland are currently working with disabled people, DPOs, and other stakeholders to co-produce the successor. The findings of the 2025 hate crime survey, the feedback of Hate Crime Charter signatories, and the priority issues shared by disabled people will be instrumental in developing a successor framework that works to deliver an accessible travel network.