Victim Services geared to fight hate

The Chatham Voice

A new tool to report incidents of hate and discrimination online is now available for local residents.

Located on the Chatham-Kent Victim Services website, ckvictimservices.com, it provides a central location to allow high-level data to be shared with the public outside of law enforcement.

Incidents that may be reported include, but are not limited to, harassment, intimidation, threats, denial of services, witnessing or seeing vandalism aimed at the person reporting or the broader community due to race, ethnic origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities, or other identity issues.

Jason Brown, volunteer and community engagement co-ordinator for

CK Victim Services, said the agency is proud to be launching the tool so that victims can receive support.

“Hate has no home in Chatham-Kent, but we know hate and discrimination are happening in our communities “ said Brown in a media release.

“Ensuring people have the support they need is essential to healing and recovery.”

Brown noted the data collected from the online tool will assist in building a “welcoming, inclusive and diverse community,” that can respond appropriately to hate and discrimination.

The municipality’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice co-ordinator said the tool will help define trends to understand what is happening in Chatham-Kent and make it safer and more inclusive for everyone.

“We know that many