What is a Hate Crime / Hate Incident?
Comments, treatment or the behaviour of others towards us that are based on something personal and fundamental about our identity are especially hurtful. Hate Hurts. 'Hate incidents' and 'hate crimes' are terms used to describe acts of violence or hostility that are perceived (by the victim or a witness) to be directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are.
They are motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on the following characteristics
- Race – nationality, ethnicity, skin colour and heritage
- Faith – religion, belief, non-religious belief
- Disability – physical, hearing and visual impairments, mental ill-health and learning disabilities
- Sexual orientation – people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or heterosexual
- Gender identity – people who identify as ‘trans’, including transgender or transsexual people
Any act of hostility or hate that is perceived to be motivated by prejudice can be classed as a hate incident. Some of these will also constitute a criminal offence and are, therefore, classed as hate crime.
Hate can cause a range of emotional responses, including fear, anger and shock. People experience mental and physical wellbeing issues such as problems sleeping, depression or anxiety. It might be hard to talk about, hard to recognise and acknowledge, and probably hard to report for a number of reasons.
Examples of Hate
- Bullying or intimidation by children, adults, neighbours or strangers
- Physical attacks such as hitting, punching, pushing, spitting
- Threats of violence
- Hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, hate mail
- Online abuse, for example on social media
- Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
- Harm or damage to things such as your home, pet or vehicle
- Graffiti
- Arson
- Throwing rubbish into a garden
- Malicious complaints, for example, over parking, smells or noise
Some of these incidents might be criminal offences.
Find Out More
You can report a hate incident:
- To the the University via the Report and Support reporting form
- Externally to Stop Hate UK
Hate hurts and no one should have to tolerate it.