The 10th to the 17th of October marks Hate Crime Awareness Week, a time to reflect on the impact of hate crime on individuals and communities, and work together to tackle it.
As a national charity, we have seen the widespread impact that hate crime can have on both individuals and communities. This impact is only getting wider as instances of hate crime reach a record high. New data released by the Home Office finds that the police recorded 146,825 hate crimes in the year ending March 2026 – an increase of 7%. Offences targeting Muslims increased by 15% and antisemitic hate crimes rose by 10%.
With harm occurring on such a large scale, it is crucial that we work to repair the harm that has already been caused by hate crime, and prevent future harm from happening. At Why me?, we are working towards a world where people can be free to express themselves without fear, and communities are supported to have positive relationships. We advocate for the use of Restorative Justice in cases of hate crime, a transformative process that uses dialogue to address harm. Restorative Justice can change the lives of people and groups affected by hate induced harm, giving them a chance to have their say and express what justice would look like for them. Through projects such as ‘Building Peace: The use of restorative approaches to address hostility between and against interfaith communities‘, we deliver restorative work with communities affected by hate crime and share best practice .
Together, we can help to reduce incidences of hate crime, repair the harm that has already been caused and work together to create a more peaceful and tolerant society.
