Hate hurts Wales

Hate crime affects everyone. This page is dedicated to helping you, whether you’ve experienced a hate crime, witnessed it or want to learn more about its impact. Together we can stand up to hate crime.

What is a hate crime?

A hate crime is any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s perceived:

  • race
  • religion
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity
  • disability

A hate crime can include assault, damage to property, threats or intimidation, harassment, online attacks and verbal abuse. The perpetrator could be someone unknown to you, or they could be a friend.

How to be an upstander

You can help victims to feel less isolated and put them in control. You can provide the evidence to secure a conviction. You can help prevent incidents from escalating.

If you witness a hate crime, here are some safe and simple ways to support the victim and make a difference.

  • Stay safe: do not create a confrontation or put yourself in danger.
  • Document it: be the victim’s eyes and ears. Record the incident or make a note of what happened, when and where.
  • Assess the situation: if someone is in immediate risk, call 999.
  • Distract safely: create a distraction or diffuse the situation e.g. ask for directions, approach the victim with a question.
  • Support the victim: ask if they’re ok, offer your support. Offer to help the victim report what has happened via the police (999) or Wales Hate Support Centre (0300 3031 982). The investigation may be strengthened by your joint reporting.

You can help put victims back in control. Your actions can make someone feel valued, supported and safe.

How to report a hate crime

If you have witnessed or experienced a hate crime you can report it to the Police or to the Wales Hate Support Centre (run by Victim Support). You can also report these crimes if you see them happen to someone else.

Both the Police and the Wales Hate Support Centre can offer you support to deal with what happened to you and find a way forward.

Police

In an emergency call 999

In a non-emergency dial 101

Wales Hate Support Centre

You can talk to the Wales Hate Support Centre, run by Victim Support, as an alternative to the Police. They provide independent, confidential help, advice and support to victims and witnesses of hate crimes in Wales.

You can call the Wales Hate Support Centre free at any time on 0300 3031 982.

Visit the website where you can report hate crime and find out more about getting support. 

What happens when I report a hate crime?

The Police, the Wales Hate Support Centre and criminal justice agencies consider all hate crime to be very serious. If you decide to report a hate crime, the Police will contact you and investigate what has happened. You will be offered support via Victim Support to help you cope with the impact of hate crime.

If a case goes to court, there may be stronger sentences which can be handed out to reflect the seriousness of these types of crimes.

Not all cases will be able to proceed to court, but whether you have been targeted, witnessed a hate crime, or are supporting someone who has, help is always available. 

Campaign material

Promotional materials used in the Hate hurts Wales campaign.

Alternative languages

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