What is it?
A crime or incident committed because of who you are or who someone thinks you are. Quite simply, if because of your age, disability, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, gender (including gender identity) or lifestyle choice (e.g. Goth) someone or a group of people targets you, commit a crime against you, bullies you or harasses you, then this is a hate crime or hate incident.
This may include:
- Verbal abuse
- Offensive graffiti
- Threatening behaviour
- Damage to property
- Assault
- Cyber bullying
- Abusive texts, emails or phone calls
- Taking money from you
How to get help
If you are in immediate danger call the police by dialling 999. If you would like to speak to a police officer but it isn’t urgent then you can call 101.
Your Victim Focus Officer can support you and help you access specialist help. Click here to find out about your local Victim Focus Team and how to contact them.
If you would like to contact a specialist service directly here are some services available in South Wales:
- National Hate Crime Report and Support Centre for Wales.
This is a service provided by Victim Support and available wherever you live. This service provides support to anyone who has experienced hate crime and can help you to report it.
You can contact them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0300 30 31 982 or visit them online at http://www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk/hate-crime
- Race Equality First – Hate Crime Advocacy and Empowerment Project
This project supports and speaks on behalf of victims of hate crimes or incidents living within the Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Contact : 02920 486207 Email: info@raceequalityfirst.org.uk
- Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council – Voices Have Spoken
This project is being delivered to provide advocacy and support for victims of hate crime in Swansea Bay area covering City and County of Swansea and Neath & Port Talbot County Borough Council areas.
Contact : 01792 457035 Email: vhs@sbrec.org.uk