Disability Hate Crime: Guidance

 

What is Disability Hate Crime?

 

A hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim's disability or perceived disability.

 

If you think that someone targeted you or a person that you support because of a hostility against disabled people, the police must take it seriously. The incident must be recorded as a hate crime or hate incident, depending on whether what happened was a criminal offence.

 

Disability hate incidents can include the following examples:

 

  • verbal and physical abuse

  • teasing

  • bullying

  • threatening behaviour

  • online abuse

  • threatening or insulting texts

  • damage to property

 

What can I do about a disability hate incident or crime?

 

You can report it to the police or you can obtain information, advice and guidance from the following organisations: