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Posted On: 5th Aug 2015
Fixer Haleemah Patel
Haleemah works on her scratch cards with the Fixers team
Stevie-Jade Hardy, University of Leicester
'I don’t think people should be abused for any reason, whether they’re disabled, gay or look different. I think it’s really important that all victims of hate crime gather together and stand united.'
Concerned that hate crimes often go unchallenged, Haleemah Patel, who wears a niqab, is encouraging people who witness abuse to speak out against it.
Her story was broadcast on ITV News Central on Thursday 6th August,
'Some people assume that because I wear a veil, I might be a terrorist,’ explains 16-year-old Haleemah from Leicester.
‘People say “go back home”, which makes me feel really sad because I was born and bred here.
‘The worst I’ve ever experienced was when someone tried to pull off my veil.
'I can’t believe someone did that to me.
‘Those who see another person being verbally or physically abused shouldn’t just walk by, they should stop and ask if they’re okay.
‘I hope to get rid of the hate and increase the love in this world.’
In the TV piece, Haleemah introduces scratchcards she's created with Fixers to help spread positive messages.
To take a look at Haleemah's scratchcards, click on the image below.
Stevie-Jade Hardy, Lecturer in Hate Studies at the University of Leicester also appears in the broadcast in support of Haleemah’s campaign.
‘Hate crimes are acts of intimidation, harassment and violence directed towards someone on the basis of their identity or perceived difference,’ she adds.
‘Any campaign such as Haleemah’s is fantastic because you need community members themselves to speak up and say don’t be a bystander.
‘Don’t just let this happen. We all have a responsibility to challenge’.
You can watch Haleemah's TV film here at the top of this page.
Joni Clarke also wears a veil and urges people not to
judge others based on stereotypes.
This film is based on a real life story about how anxiety affects pupils in the classroom.
Emily hopes her film will help people understand Alzheimer's and support families more.
Adam had to wait 18 months for mental health support. He hopes his music video will change the outcome for others.
Students are educating their peers about the prevalence of food poverty in the UK.
Sam used to be homeless and hopeless. He's turned his life around and wants others to know they can too.
Ciarán wants students to keep a lookout for vulnerable people in their midst on campus.
Archie looks after his younger sister and wants better understanding of what young carers do.
A group of aspiring actors are calling for better roles for black and Asian people.
Care leaver Julia is raising the aspirations of teenagers growing up in foster homes.
Ben Simms and his group from Watford FC are encouraging those with disabilities to work in sport.
Layne wants people to shun celebrities and choose real people as role models.
Welsh students want to reduce the stigma surrounding free school meal provisions.
A group of students from Worcester Uni have made wristbands promoting mental wellbeing.
