Education In its response to the Ruddock Report, the Australian Government committed to ask the proposed Freedom of Religion Commissioner to develop a religious engagement and public education program, informed by the outcomes of the Commissioner’s inquiry outlined in [the government’s response to the recommendation about the need for better data], about human rights and religion in Australia, the importance of the right to freedom of religion, and the current protections for freedom of religion under Australian and international law.36 During consultations to inform VEOHRC’s submission to the Victorian Anti-Vilification Inquiry, calls were made for more awareness in the community to remove racial and religious misconceptions or stereotypes, noting the importance of promoting a positive image of diverse communities in Victoria. VEOHRC’s submission recommended that the Victorian Government fund a public awareness campaign to promote diversity and social cohesion in Victoria, and to increase understanding and respect for communities who are disproportionately targeted by hate conduct and crime in the community. VEOHRC also recommended that education and training be provided to law enforcers to improve their capability to identify, record and respond to hate crime; and to courts and tribunals to improve understanding of the nature and impact of hate crime. Many roundtable participants, including a high school student from a Muslim school, discussed the need for training sessions on being an ‘active bystander’ who can help de-escalate a situation where it is safe to do so, or support the victim directly. ‘Bystander training’ could be considered for use in schools, shopping centres, for employers and in other contexts. Such training includes scenariobased sessions where people learn how to respond in the moment as a victim or as a bystander. This gives young people the skills to identify and call out violence and intimidation and to help promote a culture of responding to rather than ignoring serious harms. Freedom of religion in Australia: a focus on serious harms • July 2020 • 23