Hate Crime

What is a Hate Incident?

Hate incidents and hate crime are acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are.

For example, being verbally abused by someone in the street because you’re disabled or gay for example, is a hate incident.

The Crown Prosecution Service defines a hate incident as something that a victim thinks was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on:

• Disability
• Race
• Religion
• Transgender Identity
• Sexual Orientation

Anyone can be the victim of a hate incident. For example, if you are targeted because someone thinks you are gay, even though you are not, it is still considered to be a hate incident.

What is a Hate Crime?

When a hate incident becomes a criminal offence, it becomes a hate crime. Any criminal offence can become a hate crime if is carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on the 5 points explained above. When a crime is classed as a hate crime, the judge can impose a tougher sentence under The Criminal Justice Act 2003.