What is a hate crime or hate incident?

If someone is harassed because of their age, skin colour, gender identity, so called ‘race’, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability, this is called a hate incident.

Hate incidents of any form are unacceptable. Nobody should suffer because of who they are and nobody should put up with it.

The definition of a hate incident used by ARCH is:

“Any behaviour intended to cause harm to another, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by the perpetrator’s prejudice of the victim’s identity".

These definitions are important in order make sure that victims of hate incidents are believed and given the appropriate support as well as action being taken against attackers.

The Macpherson report which was written after the murder of the black teenager, Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993 highlighted the concern that victims of hate often did not have their case recorded or investigated as a hate incident because the victim was required to prove the suspect's motivation at the point of reporting.

It may be very hard for victims to prove that they were attacked because of their identity. This is often only established after detailed investigation. This was found to be one of the main reasons why people stopped reporting hate. People did not report hate incidents which meant that cases were not investigated and victims did not get the support they needed and no enforcement action was taken against perpetrators.

All ARCH partners believe people and take them seriously. If someone believes they have suffered a hate incident then it is important that this is recorded on the ARCH system.

Hate incidents can happen anywhere:

• at home
• at work
• at school or college
• at university
• in the pub
• on holiday
• in the supermarket

There are various types of hate incidents:

• racist incident
• religious incident
• homophobic incident
• transphobic incident
• disability hate incident

Hate incidents can also take many forms. These can include:

• verbal abuse
• threatening behaviour such as intimidation and aggression
• threatening and/or abusive correspondence either by letter, e mail, MSN, video or via social networking sites
• threatening and/or abusive phone calls and text messages
• deliberately ‘outing’ or threat of ‘outing’
• criminal damage to personal belongings, buildings or vehicles
• offensive graffiti or printed materials
• placing excrement, rubbish, paint or any other offensive substances on any part of a house or building
• arson or attempted arson
• physical attacks

Some types of hate incidents, such as verbal abuse and threats are more obvious. Other examples, such as damage to property, bullying or rude gestures are harder to identify.

Useful links:

http://www.stonewall.org.uk

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/key-projects/good-relations/empowering-people-to-tackle-hate-crime/

If a person is targeted or victimised because of their ethnic background, national origin, skin colour or so called 'race' this is a racist hate incident.

Any incident that is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person is a racist hate incident.

Useful links:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/race/
http://www.irr.org.uk/index.html

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/TypesOfCrime/

http://www.srtrc.org/faqs

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/racerel.html

If you, your family or friends are targeted or victimised because of your religion, this is religious hate incident.

Any incident that is perceived to be a religious hate incident by the victim or any other person is a religious hate incident.

Useful links:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/religion-and-belief/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/TypesOfCrime/DG_10027669

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/racerel.htmlracerel

If you, your family or friends are being targeted and victimised because of your sexuality or what someone thinks your sexuality is, this is a homophobic incident.
Anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or straight can experience a homophobic incident.

Any incident that is perceived to be a homophobic hate incident by the victim or any other person is a homophobic hate incident.

Useful links:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/sexual-orientation/

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/research38_so_hatecrime.pdf

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/TypesOfCrime/DG_10027986

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/homophobia.html

If you, your family or friends are being targeted and victimised because of being trans or what someone thinks your gender is, this is a transphobic hate incident.

Any incident that is perceived to be a transphobic hate incident by the victim or any other person is a transphobic hate incident.

Useful links:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/transgender/
http://www.gendernetwork.com/index.html

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/lgbt-equality-publications/e-bulletin/

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/homophobia.html

If you, your family or friends are being targeted and victimised because of your disability or what someone thinks your disability is, this is a disability hate incident.

Any incident that is perceived to be a disability hate incident by the victim or any other person is a disability hate incident.

Useful links:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/disability

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/inquiry-into-disability-related-harassment/

http://www.ourvoiceoursay.com

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/disability.html