Hate Crime

‘Hate Crime’ is the generic term used to discuss both Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents.

Hate Crimes are any crimes perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice.

Hate Incidents feel like crimes and often escalate to crimes or tensions in a community.

Both are committed because of a person’s actual or perceived:

• Race: including ethnicity, nationality, national origin and colour. ‘Race’ also covers Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
• Religion or belief: including all recognised religions and belief systems, including no belief.
• Sexual orientation: including all sexual orientations such as gay, lesbian and bisexual.
• Gender identity: including transgender, non-binary and gender fluid.
• Disability: including learning, mental health, physical and sensory disabilities.

Hate Crime, by individuals or groups, can take many forms, such as:

• Bullying
• Threat of, or actual physical assault
• Verbal abuse
• Intimidating behaviour and harassment (including via email, online and on social media)
• Damage to property
• Offensive leaflets, posters or graffiti
• Inciting others to commit Hate Crime

Hate Crime can be any action or behaviour, as long as someone perceives the action or behaviour as motivated by hostility or prejudice.

It does not matter if the victim actually has the characteristic(s) they think they were targeted for. It only matters that the perpetrator believes they have that characteristic.

Reporting Hate Crime

It is important to report Hate Crime so that people affected by it can get help and support. Reporting Hate Crime can also help the police and other agencies deliver a response. Anyone can report Hate Crime, regardless of whether they are the victim, witness or are reporting on behalf of someone else.

There are several ways to report Hate Crime. You can:

• Speak to the police directly by calling 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-urgent enquiries or report online.
• Report to Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625 (free 24-hour helpline) or 0808 801 0576 (for under 18s), or visit their website: www.stophateuk.org/. Stop Hate UK are a national Hate Crime charity that provide a free and anonymous, 24/7 Hate Crime reporting and information line to residents in Essex.
• Report to a Hate Incident Reporting Centre (HIRC). HIRCs are community venues where individuals can be supported around Hate Crime, either to report or access support. Details can be found by searching ‘Hate Crime’ at www.essex.police.uk.
• Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
• Contact your local authority or housing officer.

For information and support:

• Contact Victim Support, the national charity that provides free and independent practical and emotional support to victims of crime or traumatic incidents. Victims can access their services regardless of when the crime happened or if the police are involved:
  • Call Essex Victim Support on 0808 178 1694 (open 8am-5pm, Mon-Fri).
  • Call the national, 24/7 Supportline on 0808 168 9111.
  • Visit their website at victimsupport.org.uk.
• For guidance on the Criminal Justice System visit: victimscommissioner.org.uk/victims-journey.
• Find out about Restorative Justice:
  • Restorative Justice or Mediation are when those harmed by a crime or conflict have contact with the person responsible to try to find a way forward. This is voluntary and both sides need to agree for the contact to take place. This is not an alternative to a court-imposed sentence.
  • Visit: restorativeessex.co.uk for more information.