Problems

Hate Crime

The Home Office defines Hate Crime as any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender’s hatred of someone because of their:

• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or beliefs
• Transgender Identity
• Sexual orientation
• Disability

Hate Crime can take many forms including:

• Physical attacks such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes, arson

• Threat of attack including offensive letters, abusive of obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded malicious complaints

• Verbal abuse or insults, offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes and bullying at school or in the workplace.

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Law

The Crime & Disorder Act 1998 created a number of new racially and religiously aggravated offences.

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced tougher sentences for offences motivated by hatred of the victims sexual orientation.

The Racial & Religious Hatred Act which came into effect in 2007 makes it a criminal offence to use threatening words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up hatred against any group of people because of their religious beliefs or their lack of religious beliefs.

(Resources Home Office)

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Report Hate Crimes

Hate Crime is illegal and nobody should put up with being attacked, threatened, abused, or have their property damage because of another person’s hate. At last there is now more help and support for victims and witnesses of hate crime which makes it much easier to report these despicable crimes and to access help. If you are a victim of hate crime it is so important to report it otherwise it is likely that the crimes against you or your property may well continue.

If you are a victim of a hate crime there are some things you can do to assist with the investigation of this crime.

• You may be upset, angry, in shock, hurt, but as soon as you are possibly able to report the crime to the Police, a Hate Incident Reporting Centre or contact the 24 hour helpline the Stop Hate Line. If you report it to the Police ask for the name and number of the officer you speak to and make a note of the time that you reported the incident. If you feel unable to report the incident then speak to someone for advice e.g. teacher, youth worker, mental health worker, community leader, etc.

• Try and write down as many details of the incident as you can remember, such as the date and time and descriptions of anyone who was involved. If a vehicle was involved and you have the make, model, colour or registration number make a note of this as well.

• If there is anyone around who saw what happened ask them if they would give their details, name, address, phone number etc., and if possible get them to write a statement of what they saw and sign the statement.

• Don't touch or clear anything away as that may destroy vital evidence which could help in bringing the perpetrator to justice.

• Look after yourself: You may find it difficult to be on your own and need your friends or family around you, you may feel you want the support of a Helpline or Counsellor. The Victim Support helpline can give you details of your nearest branch and other support can be found on this website or by contacting SupportLine Telephone Helpline on 01708 765200, or info@supportline.org.uk Whether you choose to report the crime or not, don't feel isolated and alone with this and make sure you get as much support as possible.

• Remember: the problem is not YOU, it is the person who has so much hate inside them who has the problem.

The above also applies to you if you are a witness of a Hate Crime, you too can report it and try and record as many details as possible. If you are willing to give your details to the victim and a signed statement that will be a tremendous help. As a witness you too may need help and support and someone to talk to about what you have seen.

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Agencies providing advice, support and information

Crimestoppers:
0800 555 111
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Call anonymously with information about crime.

Equality Advisory & Support (EASS)
0808 800 0082
www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales

Galop:
National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence
0800 999 5428
https://www.galop.org.uk/
Support all LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence

On Your Side
0808 801 0393 - 24/7 Helpline (or report incident online)
https://www.onyoursideuk.org/
On Your Side is for anyone in the UK who identifies as East and Southeast Asian, including people with mixed heritage. It is also for anyone who is perceived by others to be East and Southeast Asian and witnesses of hate towards East and Southeast Asians from any background.This is the place to find support and make a report if you experience or witness racism or any other form of hate. This could include verbal harassment in person or online, criminal damage such as graffiti, or physical violence perpetrated because of hostility against an aspect (or assumed aspect) of a person’s identity such as their race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality, or political beliefs.No matter how small or trivial you think it might be, they are there to listen and support.

SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter):
0121 472 2912
www.samm.org.uk
Emotional support for families and friends bereaved through murder or manslaughter. Listening support is provided by volunteers who have lost a loved one through murder or manslaughter. Regional one to one telephone support.

Stop Hate Line:
0800 138 1625
www.stophateuk.org
Run by the charity Stop Hate UK for immediate advice and support. Anyone who is either a victim or a witness of a hate crime will be able to report the incident directly to the Helpline. The aim is to encourage the public to report incidents where they have been called names, physically hurt, or had their property damaged because of another person’s prejudice towards their race, faith, age, sexuality, gender or disability.

.Victim Support: (24/7 support)
Victim Support operates a 24/7 Supportline and live chat service, every day of the year, offering specialist emotional and practical support to anyone who has been a victim or a witness. You don't have to report a crime to get help from Victim Support.

If you'd prefer to access interactive self-suport guides visit My Support Space

Telephone: 0808 16 89 111
Live chat: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat
My Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJ
Website: victimsupport.org.uk

All these services are free, confidential and available 24/7

Victim Support National Hate Crime Report and Support Centre Wales:
0300 3031982
www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk
Advocacy, emotional support, mediation, restorative justice, serious injury compensation claims, independent police commissioner complaints process assistance.

Victim Support Scotland:
0800 160 1985
www.victimsupportsco.org.uk
Helpline for anyone affected by crime regardless of whether a crime has been reported.

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Useful websites

https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice
Click on Crime, Justice and the Law -  Government site with lots of information and advice.

www.ourwatch.org.uk
Information about Neighbourhood Watch schemes

www.reportharmfulcontent.com
Advice on reporting harassment, threats, impersonation, bullying, unwanted sexual advances, pornographic content etc.

www.report-it.org.uk
True Vision: Police funded website designed to provide information about Hate crime and aimed at improving the service that Police provide to minority communities.  Self reporting and information pack available as well as online facilities that allows you to report hate crime quickly to the Police.