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
  • Religion or belief
  • Age
  • 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 report it?

You can report hate crime and discrimination using our online form. We aim to contact you about your referral within 5 working days.

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

You should report all hate crime and discrimination, whether you’re the victim, a witness, or you are making the report for someone else.

We would also encourage you to report hate crime or discrimination to any other relevant organisation, including (but not limited to):

  • 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?

You can report hate crime and discrimination using BHCDS offers a support service for victims of hate crime that is free and confidential.

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

Your caseworker will work with you and on your behalf to get the best outcome for you.