Hate crime group wants police protocol

Network hopes to be informed quickly of these crimes as it focuses on helping face-slashing victim

Feb. 27, 12:36 EDT

Carmela Fragomeni
The Hamilton Spectator

A new hate crime network, working on a way to respond quickly to hate crimes and to help victims, jumped into action as soon as it heard about the assault on restaurant owner Ronn Mattai.

The Hate Crime Network of Hamilton rushed out e-mails to all its member organizations, found out which group was doing what, and member Saleha Khan called Mattai's Junction Cafe to offer the network's services, including counselling.

Mattai was slashed in the face early Saturday morning, an act police say was motivated by anti-gay bias.

Hate crime pamphlets with emergency numbers and tips on what to do for a victim or when witnessing such a crime are being distributed at gay bars in the city "because an attack can spur a copycat," said Tanya Gulliver, the network's co-administrator and a representative of the gay and lesbian community.

"The main thing is to make sure everyone (in the network) knows about it."

The attack on Mattai drew everyone's attention, she said, because it was so savage and the victim was well known but most people aren't aware of attacks.

Organizations in the Hate Crime Network have only met twice since it was formed in December.

They are looking for other ways of responding quickly, including developing a protocol with police to be informed as soon as possible of alleged hate crimes. They would like to have been informed sooner about the attack on Mattai.

The organizations recently discussed creating a program similar to Block Parents to offer a haven to anyone being harassed on the street. Discussions at its most recent meeting centred on helping police to reach diverse communities on issues of hate crime and getting police to visit schools to educate kids about racism.

"The whole idea of networking is bring together those interested in making sure Hamilton is a safe place," said Khan, also hate crime prevention co-ordinator at the Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO).

Hamilton already has a large group focused on anti-racism -- the Strengthening Hamilton's Communities Initiative (SHCI), formed after the 9/11 attacks.

It tries to build bridges among ethnic communities by educating against racism and improving communication.

Khan said the Hate Crime Network differs in that it deals with racism as it happens. "We're dealing with everyday life. We're dealing with it now and today."

For every hate crime reported, it's estimated about 10 aren't. Of the 45 hate crimes reported last year, 24 involved property defaced with racist graffiti and 10 were assaults.

To join the network, call Khan at SISO at 905-667-7496.

The network offers the following guidelines for victims: call police or report the crime to someone who can help.

If injured, get medical attention. Get witnesses names and record details.

If the harassment is ongoing, keep a diary and let politicians and SISO know about it.

It's suggested witnesses should help the victim, collect facts and assist the victim in making a report to police and, finally, find a community group that's willing to help and get involved.

cfragomeni@thespec.com
905-526-3392