Speaking today on the launch of Lord Bracadale’s review of hate crime legislation in Scotland, John Wilkes, Head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland, said:
Online bullying and sexual harassment are high on the public agenda just now, so this is a good time to review if hate crime law in Scotland reflects society’s expectations of what a just sentence for prejudiced crimes should be.
We hope that this report stimulates just such a debate.
Prejudiced crime impacts severely on its victims. It can shatter their self-confidence and make them feel like strangers in their own community.