
How to Report a Hate Crime
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RESOURCES TO HELP AND EDUCATE
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WHAT IS A HATE CRIME?
Any crime committed with a biased or prejudiced motive and targets victims based on a particular group—race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender.
Hate Incidents
Name calling, insults, displaying hate material on your property or public places
Threatening a person or property
Hate Crimes
Any act or attempted act defined under law such as:
Harassment
Involves injury
Threats/acts of violence
Property damage
What Hate Crimes Do To You [and your community]
A sense of security is lost
The victim and their family/friends
suffer financial, emotional lossDivide neighborhoods and communities
Raise fear and suspicion
Lower openness and cooperation
Threatens principles of democracy
and equalityResults in loss of confidence in the law
Causes retaliating attacks by victim groups
Creates more violence and
social/ethnic conflict
Why You Need to Report a Hate Crime
Not a Citizen? You Still Have Rights!
Do not fear deportation or arrest
Do not be ashamed or in denial
You are not alone. There is a whole community
to support you if you speak up.
Report a Hate Crime. Protect Yourself and Others.
All hate crimes must be reported to prevent future incidents
Not reporting hate crimes will continue the cycle of violence
They directly threats national security
If no crimes are reported, there are no records.
No record = No hate crimes.
Prevention Tips
Tell Someone Where You’re Going
Carry ID
Stay alert of your surroundings
Familiarize yourself with key landmarks:
Market, police station, gas station, restaurant, intersectionsCarry personal alarm or whistle
Avoid isolated areas and shortcuts
Don’t walk alone, especially at night
Walk near a curb, close to traffic
Choose busy, well-lit streets
Don’t display any cash, credit card or jewelry
Be Safe When Taking Public Transportation
Check bus/train schedule
Do not wait alone at a stop
Know where you’re going and how to get back
Sit near bus driver
If harassed, report to driver immediately
During an Attack
Walk away ASAP or leave the
situation as soon as possible.
Don’t participate in verbal arguments.
This will often lead to escalation.
Engage bystanders and ask them for help.
Take out your phone and start taking
pictures or a video of the perpetrator.
Call 9-1-1 if someone is physically injured
or threatened.
Scream ‘HELP’ or ‘FIRE’ or blow
personal alarm/whistle.
If you are physically attacked:
Protect your body and defend yourself
by whatever means necessary.
Document the attacker:
With full body and profile pictures, a license plate, car model, and the scene of incident.
OBSERVE as much as you can:
Skin color, Facial hair (beard, mustache), Eyes (color, glasses?), Hair style/color (side part, long, short), Height, Clothing, Behavior, Voice, Age, Tattoo, Scars, Jewelry, Weight
Seek help from a bystander
Point to one of the phrases below to get help from someone
What to Do After an Attack
Call 911 only if you or someone else are physically injured
Report a Hate Crime Right Away.
Attacker details:
Gender: M or F
Age:
Ethnicity:
Eye color:
Hair style:
Hair color:
Clothing:
Facial hair:
Scars:
Tattoo
Jewelry
Weight
Incident details:
Date:
Time:
City and intersection:
Witness name/phone:
Bus number and line
License plate
Car model, color
Description of incident:
Officer name and badge number:
Case number:
If the police don’t take a report, go to the police station and request one, then get a copy for yourself.