True Vision - help us to see what's happening

What is True Vision?

True vision is a multi agency initiative that helps people in Bedfordshire to report incidents connected to all types of hate crime and discrimination including:

• race
• religion/belief
• sexual orientation
• gender
• disability
• domestic abuse involving anyone which you have a close relationship with e.g. your current or previous partner.

True Vision is managed by the Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership which includes the Police, Bedfordshire County Council and all of the other local authorities in Bedfordshire, housing organisations such as Aragon Housing Association and voluntary agencies such as Bedford Race Equality Council (BREC), Citizens Advice Bureau and Victim Support. The Partnership funds a co-ordinator to manage the reports that come in under True Vision. This co-ordinator is based at the BREC offices.

What can I report under True Vision?

Any incident you either witness or are a victim of that you believe was motivated by:

• racism
• religion/belief
• homophobia
• transphobia
• disability.

For example, incidents may involve verbal abuse, harassment, attacks, damage to property, bullying or graffiti.

By reporting it you may be able to prevent these crimes happening to someone else. It is just as important to report the smaller incidents as the more serious ones. This is because the Partnership will look carefully at all reports and can use these to detect trends in certain areas. Action can then be taken to sort out any local problems before they get out of control.

How can I report an incident?

There are a number of ways you can report incidents:

• Self-reporting. An information pack and report form can be obtained from Incident Reporting Centres, including Aragon Housing Association's offices.
• Incident Reporting Centres. Many local agencies have trained members who will help you to complete a self-reporting form. They can also report the incident on your behalf and provide you with help and support.
• Phone the police. There are specially trained police officers in your area who you can speak to in confidence.
• Internet Reporting. In the future customers will be able to use an online True Vision Reporting Form. There are plans for this to be set up to encourage people to report incidents direct.

If an incident is reported what happens to it?

People have the ability to either:

• Just report an incident and then opt for no further action to be taken by the Partnership.
• Report the incident and agree to other agencies in the Partnerships becoming involved in helping them to sort out the problem.

It is up to the customer which of these options they decide to go for.

What happens to the reports?

All reports are forwarded to the True Vision Co-ordinator who will then collate the report and take further action in case where the customer requests it. This further action might include involving other agencies in the Partnership for them to provide any necessary support for the victim.

Further information:

True Vision Co-ordinator
Merry Silk, 36 Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3HD.
Telephone: 01234 350459/340728
Fax: 01234 327487
Email: truevision@fsmail.net