What is hate crime?
Hate crime is the term used to describe an incident or crime against someone based on their identity or perceived identity. Hate crime can be criminal acts or non-criminal acts (hate incidents) and can include things like graffiti, vandalism, harassment, criminal damage, online harassment and assault. As a hate crime is an attack on a person's identity, it is very personal and this can make it even more frightening. At Victim Support, we recognise that hate crime can be devastating and our Victim Care Advocates can support you, even if you don't want to report the crime or incident to the police.
The five categories
Hate crime is when someone is targeted with hostility or prejudice because of one of the following 5 categories:
- Sexual orientation
- Sexual identity
- Disability
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion or belief (including non-belief)
Victim Support also recognises crime targeted at alternative sub-cultures (such as goths or punks etc) as a form of hate crime.
Reporting hate crime
You can report hate crime or hate incidents in a number of ways. You can go directly to the police, or you can use a third party reporting centre. Victim Support is a third party reporting centre and we can help you report a hate crime or report it on your behalf. There are also a number of other third party reporting centres across the region and you can find out where they are by looking at your local council website. The most common ways to report are:
- 999 in an emergency, if someone is in danger and if the crime is happening
- 101 for non-emergency
- Police websites (see links below)
- True Vision - www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force
- Third party reporting centres
- Remember - we can still support you even if you haven't reported the incident or crime to the police. Don't suffer in silence - contact us on 0300 303 1976 if you need support following a hate crime.
Useful organisations and information
Galop - the LGBT+ anti-violence charity. They support all LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence or hate crime. Galop also run a hate crime helpline.
Stop Hate UK. National organisation challenging all forms of hate crime.
Tell Mama UK. For people experiencing anti-muslim hate crime.
SARI. Stand Against Racism and Inequality - support for all strands of hate crime.
Community Security Trust. Protecting Jewish communities and support for people experiencing anti-semitic hate crime.
Race Equality First. Support and advocacy for people experiencing hate crime.
The Monitoring Group. Support for people experiencing racism.
Friends, Families and Travellers. Support for gypsy, Roma and travellers.
The Traveller Movement. Support for gypsy, Roma and travellers.
LGBT Foundation. Advice, support and information service for LGBT communities.
Mermaids. Information and support for gender diverse children and their families.
DIAL. Disability Information and Advice Line.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Information about alternative sub-cultures hate crime.