Victims of hate crime are often targeted because of who they are or who the perpetrator thinks they are.  Hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s actual or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.  

Many victims feel unwilling or unable to tell anyone what is happening to them and as a result suffer in silence.  They may live in fear or accept what is happening to them as part of everyday life.  Individual reactions to hate crime differ depending on your culture, age, gender and life experiences.  Hate crime can affect mental or physical health, as well as a loss of personal freedom or feelings of safety.  You can get practical and emotional support to help with these feelings.

Hate crime is often targeted against the most vulnerable people and survivors of hate crime are more likely to experience more attacks.  Reporting the crime can help stop it happening to you and to others.

Keep a diary of events, stay alert, be confident.  Trust your instincts – if you think something is wrong, feel able to do something about it by telling someone.

You can report hate crime online if you do not want to report directly to the Police.  You can also report if you are a witness or calling on behalf of someone else.  You can report a crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.  Young people can report anonymously online at Fearless

Call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.  If the crime isn’t an emergency, call 101 or contact your local policing team

There are a number of Hate Incident Reporting Centres (HIRCs) in Essex in places where people most likely to be victims of hate crime already go and have support, such as centres for people with learning disabilities.

For anti-muslim hate crime you can also report to Tell Mama