Aim/Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study is to explore social workers’ representations of hate speech (HS), the effects it has on the community, and socio-educational actions aimed at combating it. Background: Hate speech is any form of communication that promotes discrimination, hostility, or violence towards individuals or groups based on their identity. Although its spread is facilitated by particular characteristics of the online environment (such as anonymity and ubiquity), HS has pervasive consequences even in offline reality. In the last year, several community-based projects involving social workers have been implemented to address the problem. Professionals who work with the community play a crucial strategic role in the fight against HS. Therefore, it is imperative to begin by considering their perspective to gain a better understanding of HS and how it can be controlled. Methodology: Following a psycho-sociological perspective, six focus groups were conducted with 42 social workers (19 females and 23 males) belonging to associations or organizations of a different nature, such as NGOs, local social promotion organizations, universities, private social organizations, whose mission included the theme of countering hate speech. Contribution: There are no studies in the literature that consider the views of operators working to counter hate speech within communities. Our study contributes to deepening the knowledge of the phenomenon and identifying the most suitable strategies to combat it, starting from an approach that does not only focus on the online or offline dimension but on an integrated “onlife” approach. The study offers an outline of how hate speech affects the daily lives of the communities in the cities of Torino, Palermo, and Ancona. Additionally, it proposes a grassroots strategy to address hate speech. Findings: The results suggest that strategies effective in countering hate speech in offline contexts may not be effective in online environments. The technological revolution brought about by social media has significantly expanded the potential audience while weakening traditional communities. Addressing hate speech in the present context requires efforts to rebuild fragmented communities, gaining a thorough understanding of how the new virtual public space operates, and prioritizing hate speech as a specific concern only after these initial steps. Recommendation for Researchers: Hate speech represents a violation of human rights and a threat to freedom of expression. The spread of hateful messages has a significant impact on society, as it can negatively influence social cohesion, diversity, and inclusion. Understanding the causes and consequences of hate speech can help develop effective strategies to prevent and counter it, which is a crucial challenge for both research and society as a whole. Studying hate speech should involve the use of interdisciplinary methodologies. Future Research: Future research should focus on comparative analysis at the European Union level to assess the ability of civil society in other countries to develop effective strategies against hate speech.

More social workers are working in libraries in recent years.

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Children's Geographies; 10/01/2022
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Some 35 law-enforcement officers and social workers took part in the first in a series of five training seminars on anti-trafficking practices and procedures on 22 July 2016 in Kostanay with other workshops to be conducted in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda and Shymkent later this year.

The seminar focused on the criteria and standards for assisting victims of human trafficking, relevant national and international legislation, ways in which social exclusion and disenfranchisement make people vulnerable to trafficking, as well as re-socialization and compensation for survivors.

The series is co-organized by the Programme Office, in co-operation with the Health Care and Social Development and Interior Ministries as well as the US Embassy to Kazakhstan.  Representatives of the Akimat (regional administration) and Prosecutor’s Office also attended.   

The initiative is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to raise awareness and build the capacity of law-enforcement institutions and civil society in the field of anti-trafficking, in line with the host country’s commitments under international treaties.

Related Stories

• OSCE promotes ‘green’ women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas of Kazakhstan
• OSCE supports water co-operation in southern Kazakhstan
• OSCE Programme Office concludes series of training seminars on National Preventive Mechanism Implementation in Kazakhstan

Some 35 law-enforcement officers and social workers took part in the first in a series of five training seminars on anti-trafficking practices and procedures on 22 July 2016 in Kostanay with other workshops to be conducted in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda and Shymkent later this year.

The seminar focused on the criteria and standards for assisting victims of human trafficking, relevant national and international legislation, ways in which social exclusion and disenfranchisement make people vulnerable to trafficking, as well as re-socialization and compensation for survivors.

The series is co-organized by the Programme Office, in co-operation with the Health Care and Social Development and Interior Ministries as well as the US Embassy to Kazakhstan.  Representatives of the Akimat (regional administration) and Prosecutor’s Office also attended.   

The initiative is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to raise awareness and build the capacity of law-enforcement institutions and civil society in the field of anti-trafficking, in line with the host country’s commitments under international treaties.

Related Stories

• OSCE concludes series of training seminars on implementing the National Preventive Mechanism in Kazakhstan
• OSCE promotes ‘green’ women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas of Kazakhstan
• OSCE supports water co-operation in southern Kazakhstan

BASW is the largest professional association for social work in the UK, with offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BASW promote the best possible social work services for all people who may need them, while also securing the well being of social workers.

The social workers have assisted veterans, children and families.

RAVE to the anonymous person in Mountlake Terrace who found my phone when it fell out of my pocket and left it where Robert could find it. Another huge rave to Robert, for taking the trouble to track me down and reunite me with my phone. RANT to grocery stores that don’t train their clerks […]

A parliamentary inquiry into how Canberra schools handle bullying complaints reveals tragic stories of desperate parents and students, prompting a raft of recommendations.

BASW is the largest professional association for social work in the UK, with offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BASW promote the best possible social work services for all people who may need them, while also securing the well being of social workers.

Governor signs proclamation marking March as Social Work Month WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday recognized the role of Delaware’s social workers as he signed a proclamation marking Social Work Month. The Governor signed the proclamation during an event at the Wilmington Public Library, one of seven libraries statewide where since January social […]

On December 5th  Nova Scotia conducted a new draw in its provincial Labor Market Priorities Stream with a link to Express Entry. It targets social and community service workers under the NOC 4212. This was the first NSNP draw that targeted NOC 4212.Candidates…

"This is a daunting challenge," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a daily briefing last week. "The entire public transport system in downstate New York will be disinfected every 24 hours."

Muhammad Islam, who worked with young people leaving care at Birmingham Children's Trust and was described as a 'well-respected' and 'highly valued' individual, died on Thursday.