1. CHESS
(Cambridgeshire Human Rights and
Equality Support Service)
a project of
Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Tony Lindsay
CHESS Project Manager
18th November 2013

2. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
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CECF at a glance
Established in 1991 by local BME communities
Registered Charity and Company Limited by
Guarantee
3 members of staff
20 volunteers
8 trustees
AQS Quality Mark for Welfare benefits
casework and General advice

3. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
CHESS
(Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality
Support Service)
A free advocacy, support, guidance
and casework service supporting
those who have been discriminated,
harassed or victimised.

4. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
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A journey – Magna Carta 1215
English Bill of Rights - 1689
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – 1948
European Convention of Human Rights – 1950
International Convention on the Elimination of all
Forms of Racial Discrimination – 1965
• Legacy commissions – race, disability, equal
opportunities
• Equality and Human Rights Commission 2007

5. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Hate Crime – what is it
Definition of hate crime
The Association of Chief Police Officers
distinguishes between a hate incident and a
hate crime. A hate incident is:
“Any incident, which may or may not constitute
a criminal offence, which is perceived by the
victim or any other person, as being motivated
by prejudice or hate.”

6. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Whilst a hate crime is defined specifically as:
“Any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal
offence, perceived by the victim or any other
person, as being motivated by prejudice or
hate.”

7. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at
a person because of hostility or prejudice
towards that person’s:
•disability
•race or ethnicity
•religion or belief
•sexual orientation
•transgender identity

8. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
This can be committed against a person or
property.
A victim does not have to be a member of the
group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact,
anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.

9. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Hate crime in Cambridgeshire (2011)
Race – 338
(88.7% - UK 81.9)
Faith – 10
(2.6% - UK 3.7)
Sexual orientation – 26
(6.8% - UK 9.7%)
Transgender – 1
(1.6% - UK 4%)
Disability – 6
(0.3% - UK 0.7%)
381 in total

10. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Areas of Activity
• Equalities
• Community Cohesion
• Anti-discrimination
• Community group development

11. Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum
Contacts
Tony Lindsay
tonylindsay@cecf.co.uk
chessenquiries@cecf.co.uk
Cambridgeshire Human Rights and Equality Support Service
The Courtyard, 21b, Sturton Street
Cambridge
CB1 2SN
Tel.: 01223 462615
Website: www.cecf.co.uk/chess