The Office of Equity and Inclusion launched a campaign aimed at making victims and witnesses of hate crimes feel comfortable coming forward.
During the Stop the Hate campaign Thursday at the SUB, UNM community members learned ways they can help stop campus hate crimes, said Lorena Blanco-Silva, training development consultant for the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
“We want victims to feel safe, be heard and to know what is next when they are victims of a hate crime,” she said. “They don’t have to be scared to do what they need to do to feel safe.”
Tragedies around the nation, such as Matthew Shepherd who was tortured and brutally murdered in 1998 at the age of 21 because of his sexual orientation, sparked the the Stop the Hate campaign, said Christopher Ramirez, project assistance for the Office of Equity and Inclusion. He said main campus’ 13 intake centers makes reporting hate incidents easier.
Student Ayla Parker said UNM is a safe and tolerant campus, but the event taught how to recognize hate crimes.
“This session gives general information about what you can do on campus and the resources that are out there,” she said. “I haven’t experienced any hateful situations on campus.”
Ramirez said UNM, like other campuses, has its isolated incidents.
“There are hundreds that have been unreported,” he said. “Diversity is a core value at this campus. It’s important to know where the lines are. It’s not only going to help our community, but help New Mexico’s community.”
