Oldham Council is working with healthcare providers to help challenge hate and abuse.
Over recent weeks, the local authority, with support from Greater Manchester Police, has been delivering sessions, with the Integrated Care Centre in the town centre and some local practices.
The sessions aim to educate staff on what they should do if they find themselves in a situation where they are victims or witnesses of a hate crime.
Council leader Amanda Chadderton said: “We have a zero tolerance to hate crime in Oldham and we are committed as a borough to tackling it head-on.
“That is why we have been working with our local healthcare settings to deliver these important sessions on how to challenge hateful behaviour.
“Sadly, over recent years, we know there has been an increase in hate towards our key workers and this is completely unacceptable – especially when these people are helping to save our lives every day.
“But, by working together with our general practices and health centres, we can hopefully make more strides in helping to eradicate hate in our borough.
“Everyone who lives and works in Oldham deserves to live comfortably, healthily and happily.”
Health staff have also analysed real-life case studies to identify what their appropriate responses would be in certain situations, with discussions taking place to explore the different ways hate and prejudice can be challenged safely.
Lisa Rylands, practice manager at Dr Perkins in Oldham, added: “We really appreciate the efforts the council have made to reach out to us and offer us their support on this important issue.
“Working on the frontline can always be challenging and, while we do have some procedures in place to deal with these types of incidents, the training we have been given is invaluable and will really help our team.
“Sometimes, it’s easier to have a thick skin and let this abuse go unchallenged but in doing so, the perpetrators get away with their behaviour and the victims are left to suffer in silence and this can have damaging effects on a person’s life.
“We will not stand by and let this happen in our surgery and anyone who thinks this behaviour is acceptable will be reported to the police.”
A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation and alternative subculture/ lifestyle.
It is important to know that anyone can be affected by such incidents, so if you have been affected by a hate crime, even if you’re unsure you have been a victim or a witness to one, call 999 in an emergency. In a non-emergency call 101 or go to a nearby police station and report it.
Extra support is available for people who wish not to contact the police at the Stop Hate Helpline on 0800 138 1625, a free confidential 24-hour hate crime reporting service.
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