Hate crime
Hatred is a strong term that goes beyond simply causing offence or hostility. Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:
race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
religion
gender or gender identity
sexual orientation
disability
Hate crime can take many forms including:
physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints
verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace
Hate crime is defined as:
Any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
If you have experienced hate crime and would like to discuss this and talk about your options to report it, anonymously if you wish to, there are three specific LGBT reporting centres in Middlesbrough:
Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency: Lesley Duggan LGBT Inclusion Officer 01642 803607
Mesmac North East: 01642 804400
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 499 4110
Or you can go on line and report www.reporthatecrime.co.uk
