A disability hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim’s disability or perceived disability. Disability, however, is not the only issue that constitutes a hate crime. These can include race, religion, transgender identity and sexual orientation.
Reporting a hate crime is important – if you believe something is a hate crime it should be recorded as such by the person you are reporting it to.
Hate crime is massively under reported as many people don’t know who to talk to or how to report these incidents.
How to report a hate crime
Here are some of the ways to report a hate crime.
If the matter involves an attack or serious crime ring 999. If it is a lesser incident such as verbal abuse ring 101. If you can get to or belong to a disability information or support organisation or club tell them and ask for help. This is known as 3rd Party reporting.
What types of incidents can be a hate incident?
Verbal abuse like name-calling and offensive jokes
Harassment
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 Facebook or Twitter
Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
Harm or damage to things such as your home, pet, vehicle
Graffiti
Arson
Throwing rubbish into a garden
Malicious complaints for example over parking, smells or noise
Ms. Amber Rudd, Home Secretary
If you’ve experienced a hate incident or crime you can report it to the police. You can also report a hate incident or crime even if it wasn’t directed at you. For example, you could be a friend, family member, support worker or simply a passer-by.