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Community Hate Crime Vigil at the Rainbow Hub

The city’s Community Hate Crime Vigil took place outside the Rainbow Hub on St James’ Street, Brighton on Wednesday, October 16.

Hosted by the LGBT+ Community Safety Forum (LGBT+ CSF), 150+ people attended the vigil to watch and hear speakers from across communities talk about challenging hate crime, the harm done to individuals and communities by hate crime, and building cross community links to increase resilience.

Speakers included Lou Whittingham, representing LGBT+ CSF, Manal Ahmed from the Racial Harassment Forum, Linn Davies of Possibility People, Fiona Sharp from Network of International Women, Emma Ryland, trans activist, and Brighton & Hove city councillors Alan Parsons (Community Safety lead) and Phelim MacCafferty, convener of the Greens.

Staff from BHCC Safer Communities team were at hand, along with staff and officers from Sussex Police who were also in attendance to explain how to report hate crime to statutory agencies. The supportive team of committed volunteers from the Rainbow Hub ensured the event ran well, and the BHCC LGBTQ Workers’ Forum sponsored the refreshments.

Billie Lewis, Chair of LGBT+ CSF, said: “In these dark times of rising hate crime and communities feeling attacked and targeted, it’s encouraging to see so many people from across the city’s divergent communities coming together to talk about love, commitment and the relentless challenge of hate. Together we’re stronger, an interconnected web of diversity with a clear message of hope. If you have been affected by any form of Hate Crime REPORT IT! You can report it to the LGBT Safety forum here.  A new helpline is live for Brighton & Hove residents to report instances of hate crime. The new number is 01273 855620.”

For non emergency police action call 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Over 7 million UK pets suffer fireworks terror

Over 7 million UK pets suffer fireworks terror

PDSA urges owners to take action to keep pets safe and stress-free

Leading vet charity PDSA has found 7.3 million cats and dogs* (34% of cats and 40% of dogs) are afraid of fireworks, leaving the nation’s pets anxious and miserable throughout the firework season. The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, the largest report of its kind, which is produced annually with YouGov, revealed that 40% of  owners of dogs (3.6 million) reported their pets are afraid of fireworks.

In light of this, PDSA has put together a FREE downloadable guide – packed with useful advice and tips – to help our four-legged friends cope better with fireworks:

PDSA Veterinary Nurse, Joanne Wright explained: “Our PAW Report found that while fireworks are great for us to enjoy, they cause huge distress to our much-loved pets. During 2018, PDSA’s Pet Hospitals treated 1,400 animals for firework related issues such as phobias and injuries, an increase from 1,200 the previous year**.

“Our latest Report also found that fear of fireworks was the second most common ‘problem behaviour’ dog owners would like to change with 23%*** owners (equating to 2.3 million dogs) reporting it as a top concern. Pets have sensitive hearing, so a sudden loud noise to us can be utterly terrifying to them, particularly as they don’t understand the source of the loud bangs and bright flashes. When they become scared, their first instinct can be to run from the danger, which means they could easily go missing, putting them at risk of road accidents, getting lost or being injured”

“Fear of fireworks can cause pets to physically shake with fear, cry or bark loudly, soil the house, destroy furniture, or in some cases become injured if they’re panicked. Anyone who has seen their own pets suffer knows just how much anxiety this can cause.”

The charity is urging owners to prepare for fireworks season – which can last for weeks and is quickly followed by Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year celebrations potentially exposing our pets to a long period of suffering.

 

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