Hate crime is defined as a criminal offence committed against a person or their property that is motivated by hatred of someone because of their:
- Race, colour, ethnicity or nationality
- Religion or beliefs
- Gender or sexuality identity
- Sexual orientation
- Disability (including disability due to ill mental health)
- Age
Hate crime can take many forms and can include physical attacks, damage to property, theft, offensive graffiti, threats, intimidation and bullying. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.
Hate Crime or Hate Incident?
Something is a hate incident if the victim or anyone else thinks it was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one of the following things:
- disability
- race
- religion
- transgender identity
- sexual orientation.
Anyone can be the victim of a hate incident. For example, you may have been targeted because someone thought you were gay even though you’re not, or because you have a disabled child.