What is a hate crime and what is the law round it? 

A hate crime is any incident where the victim is treated unfairly or harmed because of their protected characteristics. 

It is against the law to discriminate against people with particular features and cause them harm. These are called protected characteristics. ​​

There are 5 characteristics that relate to hate crime.

​Religion - A person's religious beliefs, customs, practises and choices including having no religion. 

Disability  - A person with any physical or mental difference including neuro-divergence (such as autism or AHD) lasing for 12 months. 

Race - A person's race, skin colours, nationality or ethnic origin. 

Sexual orientation - A person's identity in respect to the gender or genders they are attracted to. 

Transgender identity - A person who feels their gender is different from, or doesn't sit comfortably with, the sex they were registered at birth. 

Examples of a hate crime ​

Someone throws a brick through the window of a house where they know someone with a disability lives, knowing that the incident would affect them and make them feel unsafe.

Someone is harmed when leaving a place of worship. (For example, a Church or Mosque).

Someone has their mobile phone stolen and the offender is verbally abusive about the victim's race.

Examples of a Hate Crime can include

• Graffiti about a person's sexual orientation has been sprayed on a property where they live or work.
• Someone has sent a message/video/voice recording or posted on social media, inappropriate/unkind messages about gender identity.