No place for hate crime – you can be the change

This week (12 to 19 October) is National Hate Crime Awareness Week, which is a time to highlight what hate crime is and support available.

There is no place for hate crime. You can be the change. We encourage people to find out more about the different types of hate crime and to learn the signs to spot, so that if you do see something, you can speak up and tell our charity what you know. 100% anonymously.

Tell us what you know. 100% anonymous. Always.
 

In an emergency, always call 999. If it’s not an emergency and you’d prefer to stay anonymous, contact us online or on the phone at any time by calling 0800 555 111.

What is hate crime?

Hate crime is an act of violent behaviour or hostility that is usually motivated by hatred of a person’s disability, age, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation.
 
 Hate crime falls into three main types:
 
 1. Physical assault
 
All physical assaults are an offence. Let us know if you believe the assault was motivated by hate towards the victim. 
 
 2. Verbal abuse
 
Often victims and witnesses alike are unclear whether an offence has been committed or believe that there is little they can do. Be confident there is always something you can do, and that is tell us what you know - even if your information doesn't lead to an arrest, it could help law enforcement police the area where the offence took place.  
 
 3. Incitement to hatred
 
This is when someone acts in a way that is threatening and intended to stir up hatred. That could be in words, pictures, videos or music, and includes information posted on websites.
 

Hate content may include:

• Messages calling for violence against a specific person or group
• Web pages that show pictures, videos or descriptions of violence against anyone due to their perceived differences
• Chat forums where people ask other people to commit hate crimes against a specific person or group. 

Are you a victim of hate crime?

Due to our anonymity guarantee, we can't take information from victims of hate crime. In an emergency, always call 999. If you are a victim of hate crime, call the police or contact Victim Support who, if you decide to report the crime, can help you navigate the criminal justice system.

Nothing to report?

• Learn more about the difference between hate incidents and hate crime. 
• In the event you witness a hate crime, be prepared by learning safe ways to support victims there and then.
• Volunteer with Crimestoppers to raise awareness of our unique crime reporting service in your community.

 
 Find out more about our anonymity guarantee.

18 October 2024