Hate Crime

What is Hate Crime?

Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:

  • disability
  • race or ethnicity
  • religion or belief
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity

It is defined by the Criminal Justice system as:

'Any crime or incident which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice, based on a person's real or presumed religion, sexual orientation, race, gender identity or disability.'

Hate can occur both online and offline and can include threats, intimidation, damage to a victims’ property, physical attacks and the sharing of content with the intention of stirring up hatred towards an individual or group.

Someone doesn't have to hate you to commit these crimes against you, they may only dislike the fact you are disabled or gay for example. This might be difficult to prove and you may try to ignore it but it is really important that you let someone know if you think you are being targeted.