A WOMAN claims she suffered two years of sectarian abuse at the hands of her neighbour – because of her Irish surname – that left her fearful of leaving her home.

The 62-year-old, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says the man was initially friendly when she moved into her Glasgow flat, but his behaviour changed when he learned her name and the fact she was a practising Catholic.

She claims the abuse included frequent name-calling, using derogatory language – such as the term “F*****”.

She says the abuse was difficult to prove to police, “because there were no witnesses.” It only stopped, she says, when housing staff told her neighbour they were installing cameras in the block of flats.

The woman spoke out about the historic abuse as Glasgow City Council launches a week-long awareness campaign, starting on Monday, which urges victims and witnesses to report hate crime. 

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She said: “He would make derogatory comments about my size, the way I was walking, there would be religious connotations. 

“Then it progressed to sectarian related comment. It went on for approximately two years.

“He would call me a F***** b******, when I was coming out my door.

“It happened about 12 years ago and would probably be treated as a hate crime now.

“I think there is still a problem with sectarianism, but some things have changed. There is a much better response from all the various agencies, such as the police and the council.

“More people have the courage to come forward. This person was never charged. I went frequently to the police but I had no witnesses.” 

Glasgow was the first Scottish city to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week, four years ago. Victims can now report incidents via a wide number of agencies aside from police, including housing associations, Victim Support, Glasgow Disability Alliance and LGBT Youth Scotland.

During the week-long drive the public is being encouraged to take a ‘selfie pledge’ to show the world Glasgow is standing up to hate crime.

Councillor Jennifer Layden, city convener for Equalities and Human Rights, said: “It can be very difficult for people to come forward which is why it is so important we create an atmosphere where victims can report it without fear.”