Hate crimes and hate incidents

Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race/ethnicity, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. Anyone can be a victim of a hate crime.

 

Hate incidents are non-criminal acts that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race/ethnicity, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. Anyone can be a victim of a hate incident.

 

Here is a list of some of the expressions of hate:

Verbal abuse/name calling Harassment Physical attacks Criminal damage Throwing rubbish in to a garden Graffiti Theft Social exclusion Violence

Arson Bullying Being refused a service Intimidation Murder Abusive texts, phone calls or emails Online abuse on social media Public order offences Demonstrations

Hate crimes and hate incidents can hurt people and leave them feeling confused and frightened. By reporting hate crimes, it may be possible to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. It will also help the police and other organisations understand the extent of hate crimes and hate incidents in your local area so they can better respond to it.

 

1. You can report a hate crime by contacting the Police:

• Call 999 in an emergency. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18000.
• Call 101 for non-emergencies. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18001 101.
• You can report online with West Yorkshire Police or True Vision.

2. You may wish to initially report to the University. You can do this via the links below:

• Share and Support provides options to report anonymously or to report and speak to an Adviser. An Adviser will listen to you in confidence and offer information, practical help and support. They can offer support to deal with the emotional effects of hate crime and help you get support from other organisations.
• Wellbeing Services offers practical advice to more intensive support to help make your time here at Huddersfield run as smoothly as possible.
• The Student Handbook of regulations details how to make a formal complaint. Colleagues in the Students’ Union and Student Services are able to advise on this process.

• The Students’ Union provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
• West Yorkshire Police – Hate Crimes site provides information on how the police will handle hate crimes and provide support to victims.
• Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) is a secure and reliable service that allows people from across England to report any form of Anti-Muslim abuse.
• Stop Hate UK is a UK based charity dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of discrimination and Hate Crime, encouraging its reporting, and supporting the individuals and communities it affects (information is also available in other languages).
• True Vision is a police funded website designed to provide you with information about Hate Crime.
• Galop have created a LGBT+ Hate Crime hotline. Get in touch now on 020 77042040 or at HateCrime@galop.org.uk.