Hate Crime Reporting
Hate Crime Guide
The Welcome Hub has produced a Hate Crime Guide for Hong Kong BN(O)s in both English and Cantonese.
Hate crime is a crime committed against someone because of their:
- disability
- race or ethnicity
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity
The crime can be against the person (for example, physical or verbal abuse) or their property (for example, vandalising their home or car). Hate crimes can also happen in person, online or in writing.
Hate crime is illegal. If you are a victim of hate crime, it is important to report it. Hate crimes are different to other crimes because offenders purposefully target victims based on prejudice or hostility towards a group of people – not just individuals. Offenders are likely to re-victimise that group by committing further hate crimes, which is why punishment is more serious for hate crimes.
Hate crimes can be reported directly to the police: either on the phone, online, or in person at a police station, you can report it to the police by calling 101 or you can click here to report a hate crime online.
If you do not want to go to the police, you can go to a ‘third party reporting centre’. The staff there can help you to report the crime. They will give you confidential advice, and support you with the emotional and practical impact of a hate crime. You do not have to give your name – you can stay anonymous. You do not have to speak to the police if you do not want to.
Find third party reporting centres in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton.
Support for reporting Hate Crime
There are also some national organisations that support individuals with hate crime regardless of if you are a victim of hate crime or know someone who is.
On Your Side is a hate crime and hate incident support and reporting service for anybody in the UK who identifies as a part of an East or Southeast Asian community and experiences any form of hate or racism.
They are part of Protection Approaches who lead national and community-based groups with expertise in hate crime reporting, hate crime prevention and support East and Southeast Asian victims/ survivors of racial violence.
For more information, follow this link – https://www.onyoursideuk.org/.
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
National Hate Crime Awareness Week is on the 12-19 October 2024 and On Your Side have been investigating the impact of hate crime and the prevalence of reporting affecting the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities.
Earlier in May, there was a study which revealed a significant number of hate crimes targeting ESEA communities go unreported.
Therefore, On Your Side’s theme for #NationalHateCrimeAwarenessWeek campaign this year focuses on the underreporting of racist verbal and physical harassment in public space, public transport, workplace and from neighbours.
On Your Side are encouraging everyone from ESEA communities in the UK to share if they have experienced (or witnessed) racism or hate in the past six months by filling in a very simple 3-minute form. You can access this, here.
There are also many national organisations that can support you if you have experienced a hate incident and would like to report a hate crime, please see the below table.
| National Support | ||
| Victim Support | To help anyone affected by crime, regardless of when it took place, 24 hours a day. | Call: 0808 168 9111 Web: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/hate-crime/ |
| Citizens Advice Service | Providing free, independent, confidential advice for people experiencing hate or harassment. Your closest branch can be found on the website as there are many all over the North East. | Newcastle: 08082 787823 Middlesbrough: 08082 787983 County Durham: 08082 787821 Web: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ |
| Equality and Human Rights Commission | Aims to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and protect human rights. | Web: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/ |
| Stonewall | A range of agencies working together to address the needs of gay, lesbian and bisexuals in the wider community. | Web: https://stonewall.org.uk/ |
| Crime Stoppers | A national charity with a free helpline for reporting crime anonymously. | Call: 0800 555 111 Web: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ |
| Stop Hate UK | Stop Hate UK is a leading anti-hate and anti-discrimination organisation. They operate a free 24-hour anti-Hate Crime reporting service. | Call: 0800 138 1625 Web: https://www.stophateuk.org/report-hate-crime/ |
