"...any crime where the perpetrators hostility or prejudice against an identifiable group of people is a factor in determining who is victimised".

A hate crime can be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on the victims:

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

What is homophobic and transphobic hate crime?

"Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a persons sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation / transgender or perceived to be transgender." (ACPO, CPS).

What IS Hate Crime?

There are many different ways in which a hate crime can manifest.

• Physical attacks in the form of:
  

         Offensive graffiti

         Damage to property

         Physical assault 

• Threat of attack in the form of:

        Offensive letters

        Abusive telehone calls, texts or emails

        Intimidation by individuals or groups

        Unfouned malicious complaints

• Verbal abuse/harassment in the form of:

        Taunting

        Offensive leaflets or posters

        Abusive Gestures

        Bullying Behaviour.

Reporting a Hate Crime or Incident

  Hate crimes and incidents can be frightening and confusing so it is important for you to report them to the police.  Not only will this help prevent them from happening to you again but also it can prevent them from happening to others.  It also enables the police to have a better understanding of hate crime in your area and for local councils, housing associations, support groups etc to build up a pattern of behaviour and deal with areas of concern within communities.  Even if you feel that the incident was not significant it is important for you to report it so that police can build a picture and see what is happening.  If minor incidents are not reported then these can escalate and become more serious.

How to report

In an emergency call 999.  You can also contact your local police force, either by visiting your local station or calling them.  You can find details of your local police station by going to the Directgov website.

If you do not wish to report the incident to the police you can contact third party organisations, such as Victim Support, who will be able to offer you guidance and support. 

 Safer Wales can also offer you help and guidance if you have experienced hate crime.  Just click on the link and you will be re-directed to the Safe Wales Hate Crime Reporting Form.

How LGBTEC can Help

There are a few ways in which we can help if you have been a victim of hate crime or hate incidents.  You can contact our Helpline where we have volunteers who will listen and provide emotional support and advise you in regards to what options are available to you.  If emotional support is all you need then we can provide this for you.  If, however, you would like to take the incident further we can contact the correct indviduals on your behalf.

The LGBTEC is also registered with the local Muli-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).  If a victim is considered to be at high risk of hate crime then a MARAC meeting will be set up with the relevant organsations.  The aim of these meetings is to build a comprehensive picture of the risks the victim in facing and to set up an action plan of support.

Useful Links

If you would like more information on the different support networks available, or any other information on hate crime, then click here to go to our listings page.

The All Wales Hate Crime Project are also conducting a study which you can take part in and have your say about discrimination, harassment and hate crime in Wales.  Just click here click here to take part in the survey.