A hate incident or hate crime can be aimed at anyone based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender or transgender.
The incident or crime may include using abusive language, violence against a person or damage to belongings or property.
The important thing with hate crime is the attacker's perception of the other person and their motivation for attacking them. It is the victim's perception of the incident that is important, and whilst most hate crime is verbal rather than physical it does not mean it is not serious or upsetting.
Officially, a hate incident is defined as any incident, which may or may not be a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
A hate crime is defined, however, as any hate incident which constitutes a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate.
South Staffordshire Council is committed to tackling any kind of hate crime or incident that occurs in the district, therefore we are working closely with Victim Support - Stop Hate UK - Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate (USAH).
USAH offers help to victims and works with other agencies to provide practical and emotional support.
Contact them by visiting their website or calling 0330 0881 339