Hate incidents can include but are not limited to: verbal abuse like name-calling, harassment, physical attacks, threats of violence, online abuse (for example on Facebook, What’s App or Twitter), harm or damage to property, abusive phone or text messages or hate mail.
Hate crime has been defined by the Association of Chief Police Officers and Crown Prosecution Service as:
"Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity."
Incidents of hate crime can be against a person or against property and includes materials posted online. Some examples of hate crime include:
- Verbal abuse like name-calling and offensive jokes
- Harassment
- Bullying or intimidation by children, adults, neighbours or strangers
- Physical attacks such as hitting, punching, pushing or spitting
- Threats of violence
- Hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, hate mail
- Online abuse e.g. on Facebook, What’s App or Twitter
- Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
- Harm or damage to property
- Graffiti
- Malicious complaints for example over parking, smells or noise
What should I do if I or someone I know experiences a hate crime?
Find out what support is available.