What is Hate Crime?

Hate Crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offenders hatred of someone because of their:

• race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, national origins.

• religion.

• gender or gender identity

• sexual orientation.

• disability.

Hate Crime can take many forms:

• physical attacks, damage to property, offensive graffiti, arson.

• threat of attack, offensive letters or e-mails, abusive phone calls, offensive leaflets & posters, malicious complaints.

• verbal abuse, insults,intimidation, abusive gestures, bullying at school or in the workplace.

Racist Incident

Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.

Racial harassment is any unwelcome or hostile behaviour that is linked to your race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin, which can range from abuse or intimidation to actual physical violence. These are criminal activities and should be reported to the Police.

Homophobic Incident

Any incident which is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or any other person.

Homophobia is the irrational hatred, intolerance and fear of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. It is often expressed visibily, audilbly and sometime violently.

Homophobic crime violence includes a range of behaviour, ie: verbal abuse, property damage, threats and actual assaults. Such behaviour is attributed directly to social intolerance towards those who are or perceived not to be hetrosexual.

Transphobic Incident

Any incident which is perceived to be transphobic by the victim or any other person.

Faith Related Incident

Any incident which is perceived to be based upon predujice towards or hatred of the faith of the victim or so perceived by the victim or any other person.

Disablist Incident (sometimes referred to as a disbility related incident)

Any incident which is perceived to be based upon predujice towards or hatred of their disability or so perceived by the victim or any other person.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Report It

If you are a victim, or know of someone who is, REPORT IT. You can do this by telephone, in person, or on line to the police or to one of the other organisations listed below who can offer support and advice.

Because this type of crime is particularly hurtful to victims because they are being targeted because of their personal identity, their racial, ethnic origin, diability, sexuality, beliefs or faith, the nature of these crimes can have far reaching consequences for communities.

The impact on victims or witnesses is different for each individual, but many experience similar problems. The confusion, fear and lack of safety felt by victims and witnesses of these crimes can have an have a ripple effect on their particular groups (racial or religious, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and vulnerable people) in the community.

It is very easy to say that you must find help, but that is exactly what you should do. It might not be easy to talk to someone about what is happening to you, but you must. Either confide in a friend or contact one of the agencies listed below to talk to someone who can offer you emotional support and also practical help.

Questions you may be asked when reporting an incident?

Personal Information:

Name, address, contact details, date of birth, ethnicity.

Whether you are a repeat victim.

Willingness to assist the Police in the investigation, maybe provide a statment or possibly attend court if required.

Information about the incident:

What type of incident (ie: What happened?) this is likely to include descriptions of people, events and the location the incident took place.

Date and time of the incident

Any weapons / firearms used

Suspect details (age, address, contact details if known) / descriptions if details not known

Any witness details

Local Contacts

REPORT IT - www.report-it.org.uk

Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline
Tel: 0845 605 2222
Local hotline to report incidents of anti-social behaviour run by the Tendring Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Colchester Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
Tel: 01206 871394
Confidential help line for homophobic incidents.

Essex Police Tendring Division – www.essex.police.uk
Clacton – Divisional HQ
Switchboard - 0300 333 4444 Emergency - 999

Essex Police - www.essex.police.uk

For the latest news, crime statistics and advice on safety. To report minor crimes on-line, and for employment opportunities within the police force.

Essex Police Tendring Division (Vulnerable Victims Unit)

Tel: 01255 254078

The unit, which is based at Clacton, has been set up to provide a comprehensive and appropriate response to these types of crime and will be staffed by a specially trained team of police officers dedicated to working on crimes fitting these categories. These officers will work closely in partnership with other agencies such as Tendring District Council and Victim Support.

Victim Support

Tel: 0845 3030 900

www.victimsupport.org

A national charity with trained volunteers to contact people following a crime to offer a free confidential support and information.

Tacmep - Tendring & Colchester Minority Ethnic Partnership -  www.tacmep.org
Seeking to promote and develop a better understanding of the minority ethnic communities in Tendring. They act as a conduit for local statutory bodies in consulting and engaging minority ethnic communities in the delivery of service.

Essex Racial Equalities Council
Tel: 01702 333351

National Contacts

Crime Stoppers - www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Crimestoppers is the independent charity helping to prevent and solve crimes. The scheme allows you to give information about crimes that affect you and your local community.

Women's Aid 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline

Tel: 0808 2000 247

www.womensaid.org.uk

Women's Aid offers support and refuge for women and children affected by domestic violence.
 

Victim Support - www.victimsupport.org.uk

Victim Support (0845 30 30 900) helps people cope with the effects of crime. There are separate advice sections for people living in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
 

The Samaritans - www.samaritans.org.uk

Tel: 0345 90 90 90

Not only do the Samaritans provide an invaluable listening service, they also raise public awareness of issues such as depression and suicide.

Anti-Bullying - www.antibullying.net
A comprehensive web-site dealing with many aspects in bullying in the home, school and workplace.

Race Action Net - www.raceactionnet.co.uk
A unique on-line service providing contacts and knowledge to practitioners and policy makers for dealing with racist incidents, racial harassment and racist crimes.