Hate Crime and Harassment
Hate crime is any hate incident which constitutes a criminal offence and is perceived, by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate. It is a crime that is committed against a person or people because they belong to a certain group. That group will usually have certain identifiable characteristics, eg age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexuality.
A hate crime can take many forms, including threats or acts of violence, damage to property, and name calling.
Harassment
Harassment is conduct directed at an individual by another which causes a victim to fear violence, or otherwise causes the victim to feel afraid, alarmed or distressed. Harassment is a personalised form of anti-social behaviour, specifically aimed at a particular individual.
Harassment may include any of the following:
- abusive or insulting behaviour, written or verbal
- domestic violence
- violence or threats of violence
- vandalism to property
- arson or attempted arson
- repeated and unfounded complaints against a tenant or family or group
- action/activities intended to deter a person from occupying a particular property
- abusive telephone calls
- uninvited visits to someone's home
- placing offensive materials near or in the victim's home.
Under the broader headings of hate crime and harassment, there are specific incidents and behaviours, including:
Racial incidents
Sexual harassment
Homophobia/Transphobia (behaviour that is offensive or hostile towards a personal who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender)
Disability
Religious incidents
Chronic conditions (eg HIV status)
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