Race and Hate Crime
What is Hate Crime?
Hate Crime is a criminal offence. Hate Crime is subjecting people to harassment, victimisation, intimidation or abuse because of their:
- race
- faith
- religion
- disability
- or because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.
Please note that this kind of crime against gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered is known as Homophobic or Transphobic Crime.
In reality, anyone can become a victim of a hate crime
What is a Racist Incident?
"A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person."
Racial harassment is any act or behaviour directed at individuals or their property because of their skin colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins. It can take many forms, including:
- Verbal and physical abuse
- Harassment, alarm or distress
- Damage to property
- Racist literature
- Graffiti
The penalties now reflect the seriousness of these crimes. Any racial harassment is an offence