Hate crime

Hate crime is the term used to describe an incident or crime against someone based on a part of their identity.

Experiencing hate crime can feel very personal as it is targeting someone for being who they are or who someone perceives them to be.

There are five categories where a person can be targeted because of a hostility or prejudice towards their:

• Disability
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion or belief (including non-Belief)
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity

Any incident perceived to be based on prejudice of any of these characteristics can be logged as a hate crime or hate incident.

It is important to make the authorities aware of hate crimes so they can take appropriate action. Reporting a hate crime can help raise awareness, help police and agencies focus resources, prevent further incidents and bring offenders to justice.

There are several ways you can report a hate incident or hate crime:

• In an emergency call 999 or to report an incident to the police call 101
• Visit www.report-it.org.uk
• Or via a Third Party Reporting Centre

We are here to support you after hate crime; whether it was physical, verbal, online, criminal damage or targeted in other ways because of who you are; we have a range of support available. You do not need to have reported it to the police and it does not matter when the incident occurred.

If you need some practical advice on how to move forward after experiencing hate crime or simply want to talk to someone independent about what happened, our team is here for you.

Our service is completely free and confidential, and we will listen to how to the crime has affected you and work with you to plan our support. We’ll help you navigate the Criminal Justice System if required, and provide all the practical and emotional support you need.

The Victim Care Service acts as a Third Party Reporting Centre for hate crime across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We can help victims to report a hate crime or hate incident even if they do not want to speak with the police or take any further action against the perpetrator.
This can be done anonymously should you wish. This is helpful as it allows the police and other organisations to have a fuller picture of Hate Crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight without the need for victims to make an official complaint.

“I am hoping to raise awareness around hate crime for disadvantaged communities and encourage them in reporting. Some communities feel they are under-represented and that there are very limited services available; so promoting the work of the Victim Care Service is so important”.

Hate Crime Training and Engagement Co-Ordinator, Victim Care Service.