A YOUTH campaign to help victims of hate crime has been launched.

YouthFirst which is part of Community First based in Hampshire and Winchester is launching its ‘Love Diversity’ project.

The project will provide mentoring sessions to help the emotional and mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and also those who have experienced discrimination, verbal and physical abuse and been victims of hate crimes.

YouthFirst Project Co-ordinator, Liam Moloney said “Young People will be supported to identify and deal with the hate crimes and behaviours they have experienced, and via a strengths-based approach we will help these Young People increase their future resilience. We will also raise Young People’s awareness of options to report crimes/behaviours, including to Police, and accompany them through this process

It is one of a number of projects that have been awarded a grant by Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane.

Mr Lane said it is vital to deal with hate crime.

He said: “Hate crime has increased and people suffering these crimes must feel safe to report the crime and know they will be supported.

“The projects that will be funded have demonstrated new and innovative ideas that will increase the reporting and identification of hate crime and the support given to the victims who come forward to report these crimes.”