What is hate crime?

A crime is an act which breaks the law. A crime becomes a hate crime when it is motivated by hostility or prejudice toward a protected characteristic. This could be your:

  • Ethnicity or race
  • Disability (including mental health issues)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity including trans identity
  • Religion or belief
  • Age
  • Sex and Gender

It’s possible to be the victim of hate crime because someone thinks you belong to a certain group. For example – you may be insulted on the street because someone thinks you are gay. That would be a homophobic hate crime – even if you are actually straight.

Hate crime can be many offences, but is most often a physical attack, name calling or verbal abuse. It could also include:

  • threats, harassment or intimidation.
  • offensive gestures, humiliation or degradation.
  • vandalism or criminal damage to your property.
  • offensive letters, leaflets, or graffiti.
  • abusive emails, texts, phone calls or other forms of cyber-bullying.

What is discrimination?

You are protected in law (by the Equality Act 2010) if you are treated differently because of your:

  • Age
  • Sex
  • Race
  • Disability
  • Religion or beliefs
  • Pregnancy or maternity
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage or civil partnership

These are known as ‘protected characteristics’.

Discrimination can happen at work, as a customer, when you use public services, when renting a property, in education, or as a member or guest of a private club or association.

Examples of discrimination

  • Being fired from your job because you are pregnant
  • No accessible options being provided to do supermarket shopping if you are blind
  • Harassment such as blocking opportunities or making threats about job security to a black worker

How can I get support?

You can contact us using our online form if you have experienced hate or discrimination. We aim to reply / contact you within 5 working days.

You can also speak to someone in person by calling us on freephone 0800 171 2272.

You should report hate whether you’re the victim, a witness, or you are making the report for someone else. We would also encourage you to report to other relevant organisations, for example:

  • Your housing association.
  • Your local council.
  • Your school, college or university.
  • Your workplace or union.

If you—or someone else—is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.

What support will I receive?

BHCDS offers advice and support for victims of hate and discrimination that is free and confidential. We will work with you to get the best outcome for you. We can:

  • support you to cope with the emotional, physical and mental trauma caused by hate and discrimination.
  • look at your options for taking action to resolve your case.
  • work with statutory and voluntary agencies on your behalf, to encourage them to take action, get updates, ensure they do the right thing.
  • support you through legal proceedings relating to your case.
  • help you make complaints.
  • make referrals to other services you need.