Hate incidents and hate crimes are acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are (or who someone thinks they are).

This may be perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice because of a victim’s gender identity, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

What incidents can be Hate crimes?

A hate crime or hate incident can take many forms which include physical violence and assaults as well as threat of attack and intimidation. Examples can include:

• Verbal abuse
• Name calling
• Spitting
• Abusive gestures
• Bullying and harassments
• Unfounded malicious complaints
• Damage to property i.e., Arson
• Dumping of rubbish and offensive or dangerous substances posted through letterboxes
• Offensive mail, email, leaflets, posters, or graffiti
• Offensive calls or texts
• Online abuse

You can be affected by a hate incident when it’s not so explicit. A (micro)aggression is an indirect, sometimes subtle put-down toward a person from a marginalized community, often wrapped up in what pretends to be a compliment.

Microaggressions (Clean) - Bing video

How to report an incident

There are several ways to report a hate crime or incident whether you have been a victim or a witness.

• In an emergency always call 999. If you can’t make voice calls you can contact the emergency services by texting 999 from your mobile. To use the text service, you need to register first on emergencysms.org.uk.
• You can report an incident with details or anonymously via the university website - https://reportandsupport.salford.ac.uk/.
• Alternatively, you can contact your local police force on their non-emergency number or by calling 101. Otherwise, you can go in to a local police station.
• Fill in the online reporting form https://www.gmp.police.uk/ro/report/hate-crime/report-hate-crime/

Why should I report a hate crime?

It’s rarely a one-off incident. Victims of hate crime are often likely to suffer regular abuse from the same people.

Hate crimes and incidents hurt. They can be confusing and frightening and can have a long-term negative impact on your mental health and wellbeing.

If you don’t report it, the government and the police won’t know how bad the problem really is and won’t be able to improve the way they respond or act.

To help catch the people committing hate crimes to prevent other people suffering too. Sometimes less serious behaviour can escalate with more serious consequences.

The only way to tackle hate crimes and hate incidents is to report it every time.

What happens next?

What happens next will depend on how you reported the hate crime or incident.

If you have reported to the police, then you can expect the following:

1. Your report will be treated with dignity, respect and understanding
2. Staff will handle the information you pass onto them confidentially
3. To be kept informed of developments in your case
4. To be told when the offender is arrested, charged, bailed, and sentenced.
5. To be signposted to a victim and witness support organisation

If you are unhappy with the service you have received, then please contact your local policing team. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, then please contact your local police headquarters.

If you have reported anonymously, either by phone or online, then your report is logged and contributes to the picture of hate crime in your area. You will not get a response and the incident may not be investigated.

Even if you have not reported to the police, you can still access victim and witness support services.

Statistics that might surprise you:

From 2013 to 2021 hate crime has risen 193%. From 39,130 police reported hate crime offences in 2013 to 114,958 reported in 2021.

The most common type of hate crime is related to victim’s race with 74% of hate crimes in 2020/21 being related to race.

Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire the only police forces to appear amongst the top 10 highest rates recorded for each hate crime strand.

This is data for reported incidents. The actual number of hate crimes and hate incidents will be much higher because most people don't report them.

Remember, your Students’ Union and the University have plenty of supportive, helpful, and knowledgeable people who you can trust if you have been the victim of a hate crime. Just speak to us!

Advice Centre - https://www.salfordstudents.com/advice/centre

Rafiki Project - https://www.salfordstudents.com/rafiki

University of Salford Hate Crime Reporting - https://reportandsupport.salford.ac.uk/

Wellbeing and Counselling - https://www.salford.ac.uk/askus/topics/wellbeing-and-counselling