Hate Crime
What is Hate Crime?
Hate crime is an offence committed against another person, with the specific intent to cause harm due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, physical, mental or learning disability, religion, creed, ideals, politics….well.. the list is almost endless. Victims are singled out as because of who or what they are, what they stand for or believe in.
The Police treat such offences with a very high degree of importance.
If you have been subject to any form of victimisation, assault or verbal abuse which was, in your view, a hate crime, then the Police want to know about it. They will support you all the way if you feel the offence was committed as a result of who, or what you are.
They have a specialist Hate Crime Officer who deals with such offences and can be contacted on 01438 757670 weekdays from 9.00am to 5.00pm, a message can be left outside of these hours.
Don’t suffer in silence. Pick up the telephone and get the help, advice & support to make it stop.
If you have been a victim of such crimes in the past, whether you reported it or not, then you can get support from the following groups and organisations:
Support, help and advice
Victim Support
www.victimsupportherts.org.uk - website which gives information and support to victims of crime, whether or not they have reported the crime to the police.
Tel: 0845 30 30 900
Crimes against Sexual Orientation
If the offence was committed against you as a result of your sexual orientation, then the following groups will be able to help you.
www.silenceisnotgolden.org – website giving information about homophobic and gay hate crime, tips for staying safe, how to report incidents and support organisations.
www.stonewall.org.uk – support organisation fighting for equality and justice for gay, lesbian people. Information on current legislation and campaigns
Tel: 020 7881 9440
Email: info@stonewall.org.uk
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (LLGS) provides information, support and a referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.
All volunteers identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, so you know that the person answering the telephone will have an understanding of your situation. The volunteers won't judge you or tell you what to do, and they will provide suitable support, offer appropriate information, and discuss relevant options.
The helpline operates from 10.00am to 11.00pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks year.
Tel: 020 7837 7324.
www.galop.org.uk - This is a resource which will help you with advice regarding homophobic or transphobic violence or hate crime. It offers telephone and web based advocacy and an on-line reporting service. It also offers printable advice sheets on various types of hate crimes.
The “shout line” number is 020 7704 2040
Lines are open
Mondays 5 pm to 8 pm
Wednesdays 2 pm to 5 pm
Fridays 12 midday to 2 pm
Email: info@galop.org.uk
Racially motivated crime
If the crime was racially motivated these websites are there to advise and assist you.
www.erainbow.org – website of the Hertfordshire Black Minority and Ethnic Partnership.
Help and advice if you have suffered any form of racially motivated crime, abuse or attack. They don’t have a helpline but will do all they can to help and will able to give you details of other organisations who can help.
Tel: 01707 273567
An e-mail link is available direct from their web site
www.worldforum.org.uk - more locally, we have the Stevenage World Forum for Ethnic Communities. Again, they don’t have a dedicated help line but if you call them, they will do all they can to help you.
Tel: 01438 369600.
Further Information
More information on hate crimes can also be found at:
Remember, if you have any information on a hate crime or any other type of offence then you can pass it on anonymously through the following sources.
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers is an independent UK-wide charity working to stop crime. Crimestoppers works for you, your family and your community. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and just tell us them you know, not who you are.
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
www.reportit.org.uk - this site will take you to the ‘true vision’ web page. This is Police funded site and contains loads of information and an on line reporting facility.
(A word of warning. If you search on True Vision, you will be directed to a “Spoof” site. Use the link above and you will get to the right one.)