Hate Crime

What is hate crime?

If someone has picked on you because of who you are, it may be a hate crime. It could be because you are a disabled person, or because you are Lesbian, Gay, Asian, Black, Transgender, or Muslim or Christian.

Anyone could be a victim of a hate crime. Hate crime hurt us because it’s about who we are. sometimes it hurts our family and community. it makes us feel unsafe. But there are things you can do if you are a victim of hate crime. You don’t to suffer alone.

If hate crime is happening to you right now and you are not safe, please ring or text the Police on 999.   If you are a deaf or disabled person who  lives in Waltham Forest or Newham and want to talk to someone about hate crime, and you, please xcontact Satay Safe East.

If you live outside of our area,  here are some organisations you can contact.

Below we have explained a bit more about hate crime.

More about Hate Crime

There are different sorts of hate crime.

Disability Hate Crime is when someone picks on you because you are Deaf or disabled.

Racist hate crime is when someone picks on you because of your race or nationality – for example because you are Black, or Aisna, or White, or because you are not British (or they think you are not British).

Homophobic Hate Crime is when someone picks on you because you are Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual.

Transphobic Hate Crime is when someone picks on you because you are Transgender

Faith Hate Crime is when someone picks on you because you are a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Pagan. if you are a Muslim who is a victim of hate crime it’s called Islamophobia. If you are Jewish (whether you are religious or not), it’s called Anti-semitic Hate Crime.

Hate crime can happen anywhere – at home, in the streets, at work or school or college.  Hate can happen on social media or in chat rooms, or dating sites. if you are a target of on-line hate crime, you can report it to the social media platformmer, like Facebook or Twitter.

Hate crime can involve

  • Calling you disablist or racist names
  • Spitting
  • Graffiti
  • Sending you abusive texts
  • Making malicious accusations  – accusing you of being a paedophile
  • Threatening to ‘out’ you about your sexuality, disability or gender identity
  • Blocking access to your home – for example deliberately parking in your Blue Badge space, or putting bins in front of your house so you can’t get in or out
  • Threats to you or partner, your family (or your personal asisstants if you are a disabled person who needs support)
  • Damaging disability equipment (your long cane, your car, your wheelchair ) or your home
  • Pushing or shoving you
  • Slapping, hitting, tipping someone out of their wheelchair, or other physical assault

Sometimes disabled people are targeted by people who say they are our friends but they then start taking our money, or using our home to deal drugs. some people call this ‘mate crime’. We think it’s hate crime, because  disabled people who say ‘no’ to their abusers then get picked on because of their disability.

Hate crime is a serious crime. It can lead to murder.  Don’t let hate crime go on- report it!

What should you do if it happens to you or someone you know?

if you are unsafe, it is always best to tell the Police. if you go to a Police station, always take someone with you – a friend for example, or your suport worker or advocate.You can report by phone on 101 (or 999 if you are unsafe now!) or on line at www.report-it.org.uk

If you are unable or uncomfortable about going directly to the police, you can report an incident of hate crime anonymously and in strict confidence to us. You can discuss your experience with a trained member of staff to complete a hate crime incident reporting form.