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 happens when someone is disadvantaged or treated unfairly compared with people who do not share their protected characteristic because of one of the protected characteristics listed above. It can happen at work, as a customer, whilst using services, when renting a property, in education, or as a member or guest of a private club or association.

Discrimination can include:

  • Being fired from your job because you are pregnant
  • Not being able to access public transport because you use a wheelchair
  • A company applying a ‘no headwear’ policy when they do not need to
  • Harassment: receiving unwanted comments or behaviour related to your sexual orientation that is meant to, or does, make you feel intimidated, humiliated or degraded

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.