A hate crime is any crime which someone commits against you, your child or your property because of your age, colour, sex, ethnic origin, national origin, religion, sexual identity or disability. Being a victim of this kind of crime can be a particularly frightening experience for children as they have been victimised because of who they are, or who or what an attacker thinks they are.

Hate crime can take place anywhere - at home, in the streets, at work, in school or college. Incidents can include threats, verbal abuse, arson, robbery, violence towards you and damage to your property.

Every year, thousands of people in Britain are victims of hate crimes. Nobody should have to live with the fear and anxiety that this crime causes. It can also affect other people living nearby, especially if they are seen to be part of the same group in society.

The effects of hate crime can last for a long time, especially if you or your child have suffered from it repeatedly and for a while. Many people find it helps to talk to someone who understands.

If you or your child has been a victim of hate crime

• Your child should stay safe first! If they can, they should walk away. Go somewhere safe.
• Your child should be confident that the bullies or perpetrators of hate crimes are the ones in the wrong!
• Your child should always tell someone about any bullying, harassment or attacks they may experience or witness. They could talk to a friend, parent, teacher, Connexions PA, the Police, Youth Worker, or someone they trust. Talking through a problem will help make a difference and help your child think through how to sort them out.
• You and your child should keep a diary of whenever things happen, this will help provide evidence to make sure that something is done about it.
• Your child should also keep any text or emails that contain bullying or harassment as proof and evidence of what is going on.
  Reporting Hate Crime

Any hate crime experienced should always be reported to the Police or Partnership Community Safety Team (see map of services for contact details), they can provide you and your child with specialist support from the Frontline Service.

Partnership Community Safety Team (Hate Crimes Frontline Service)

Tel: (01273) 294646

Website: www.safeinthecity.net/hatecrime/

You or your child can also come to one of the advice drop in sessions. See the 'Map of Services' for more information.

Sussex Police

To contact the police Tel: 999 in an emergency or 0845 60 70 999 for non emergencies.

Eb4U Community Safety Team

Residents of East Brighton can also contact the East Brighton Community Safety Team.

Tel: (01273) 296748 or visit www.eb4u.org/

If you witness or see any hate crime or bullying remember that you can also report it. It doesn't have to be the victim of hate crime which has to report it to someone. This is called third party reporting.

See the downloadable resources below for more information about reporting hate crime. The Police or Partnership Community Safety Team can also send out a paper version of reporting forms if you would prefer.

Downloads

Racist Incident Report Form: This download provides a copy of the Racist Incident Report Form which anyone can fill in to report any racism they have experienced or witnessed. The Police or Partnership Community Safety Team can also send out a paper version of reporting forms if you would prefer.

Links

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1140443

This link to the Brighton & Hove City Council website gives more information about hate crimes and downloadable versions of the Racist Incident Report Form, Specialist Hate Crime Support Services and True Vision self reporting. The pages also gives more information about other services who can help and provide support to victims of hate crimes.

www.report-it.org.uk/

The True Vision website gives you information and advice about hate crimes in the UK. The site has been developed to specifically give people information about and how to report Racist and Religiously motivated hate crime and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender hate crimes.

www.mosaicbrighton.org.uk/

MOSAIC is a community organisation of Black, minority ethnic and
mixed parentage families and individuals in Brighton & Hove. They create safe, supportive, anti-racist, culturally diverse environments for members and represent their interests.

www.spectrum-lgbt.org/

Spectrum is organization for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in Brighton & Hove. The website contains information, advice and support for members of the LGBT community in the city and offers information about hate crimes.

www.safeinthecity.net/hatecrime/

The Brighton & Hove Partnership Community Development website gives you information about the Hate Crimes Service provided by the Community Safety Team and Police in the city. The site details how you can report it and the help and support services available to you.

www.sussex.police.uk/

Website for Sussex Police which gives you information about the Police, what they are doing in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex, how to report crime and make complaints.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

Crimestoppers is a UK-wide independent charity working to stop crime. On this website you can find out different things about crime in the UK, including how it can be stopped and solved. Here you can also report crime confidentially and anonymous.

www.victimsupport.org.uk/

The victim Support website can provide you with more information about the services Victim Support can offer children and young people in the city.

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/hate-crime/

The Home office website can provide more information about hate crimes. What the government, local authorities and the police are doing about it and provide links to information and advice.