If someone commits a crime against you or your property because of your age, colour, sex, ethnic origin, national origin, religion, sexual identity or disability, this is called a hate crime. Being a victim of this kind of crime can be a particularly frightening experience as you have been victimised because of who you are, or who or what your attacker thinks you 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 have suffered from it repeatedly and for a while. Many people find it helps to talk to someone who understands.

If you have been a victim of hate crime

• Stay safe first! If you can, walk away. Go somewhere safe, somewhere you can get away from them.
• Be confident that the perpetrators are the ones in the wrong! But ignoring them will not make them go away.
• Always tell someone about any bullying, harassment or attacks. Talk to a friend, teacher, Connexions PA, the Police, Youth Worker, your parents or someone you trust. Talking through your problems will make a difference and help you think through how to sort them out.
• Keep a diary of whenever things happen, this will help provide evidence to make sure that something is done about it. You should also keep any text or emails that contain bullying or harassment as proof and evidence of what is going on.

Reporting Hate Crime

Always report any hate crime to the Police or Partnership Community Safety Team (see map of services for contact details), they can provide you with specialist support from the Frontline Service.

Partnership Community Safety Team (Hate Crimes Frontline Service)

Tel: (01273) 294646

You can also come to one of the advice drop in sessions. See the ‘Map of Services’ for more information.

Sussex Police

Tel: 999 in an emergency or 0845 60 70 999 for non emergencies.

See the downloadable resources below for more information about reporting hate crime.

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.

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 organization in Brighton & Hove for Black, minority ethnic and mixed parentage families and individuals. They create safe, supportive, anti-racist and culturally diverse environments for their members and represent their interests. For more information visit their website.

www.cre.gov.uk/

The Commission for Racial Equality website gives you information about race equality in the UK. It has information about what the law says, what schools should and could be doing to promote racial equality and gives you information about what the CRE are doing, working with others, to improve racial equality in our society

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

This Home Office website gives more information about hate crimes, what they are, some facts and figures, what the government is doing about it and what you can do about any hate crime you have experienced.

For more links which can help see the ‘BME’, ‘LGBT’ and other pages under the ‘Equalities and Prejudice’ section of this website.