A hate incident is an act of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are or who someone thinks they are. A hate crime is when a hate incident becomes a criminal offence.
The incidents are motivated by hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, transgender identity, or sexual orientation. The incident can be against a person, property, or group of people, and can occur both online and offline.
Examples of hate incidents include:
- Harassment
- Bullying or intimidation.
- Verbal or physical attacks.
- Threats of violence.
- Hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, hate mail, or abuse via social media.
- Circulating discriminatory literature or posters.
- Malicious complaints.
Examples of hate crime include:
- Assaults (including sexual assault)
- Criminal damage
- Harassment
- Murder
- Theft
- Fraud
- Burglary
- Hate mail