Hate Crime

About Hate Crime

A hate crime is an offence against a person or property driven by malice or ill-will towards a social group.  The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act protects victims of hate crime in Scotland.

You can be considered a victim of a hate crime if you believe you were targeted due to someone's prejudice against specific characteristics.


In Scotland, hate crimes are recognised when motivated by prejudice based on:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Sexual orientation
  • Transgender identity
  • Disability
You do not need to belong to a minority community to be a victim of hate crime. The law focuses on the perpetrator's motivation, not the victim's identity.


Hate crimes can include:

  • Threatening behavior
  • Verbal abuse or insults, including name-calling
  • Assault
  • Property damage
  • Encouraging others to commit hate crimes
  • Harassment
  • Online abuse on platforms like Facebook or Twitter

Hate crimes can occur both online and offline and are always unacceptable. What's illegal offline is also illegal online.


Examples of Hate Incidents

The following can be recorded as hate incidents:

  • Verbal abuse, such as name-calling and offensive jokes
  • Harassment
  • Bullying or intimidation by anyone
  • Physical attacks like hitting, punching, pushing, spitting
  • Threats of violence
  • Hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, or hate mail
  • Online abuse, for example, on Facebook or Twitter
  • Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
  • Harm or damage to property, pets, or vehicles
  • Graffiti
  • Arson
  • Throwing rubbish into a garden
  • Malicious complaints
YOUR IMMEDIATE SAFETY AFTER EXPERIENCING A HATE CRIME OR HARASSMENT:
Make yourself safe: Has the attacker gone? If not, can you make yourself safe, contact a friend or family member or call the police? 
Do you have any injuries?
 
If you have any physical symptoms after an attack you should seek medical help. 
 
If this is more than a very minor injury, or if you were unconscious for even a short time, you should go to Accident and Emergency. If you can, it may be helpful to bring a friend or family member with you.
GETTING SUPPORT:
Students and staff can report an incident using the College's Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an adviser. If you choose to talk to an adviser they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
INDEPENDENT SPECIALIST SUPPORT
There are a number of support services you can call or visit.
Provides information and support for victims and witnesses of crime.Helpline: 0800 160 1985  (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri)
GREC works to eliminate discrimination and prejudice, to build stronger communities, to celebrate diversity, and to provide evidence to change policy and practice.Telephone:  01224 595505

Citizens Advice Scotland & Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau
Offers advice on a wide range of issues including hate crime and harassment.
Telephone: 01224 586255
REPORTING TO THE POLICE*:
We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate crime to report it. You can report a hate crime:
- to the police (call 999 in emergencies, or 101 in non-emergencies) or use the hate crime reporting form

- anonymously through Crimestoppers (0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers online reporting form) 

- if deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired you can text 999 (emergency), contact BSL (British Sign Language), or text 18001 (non-emergency)