Hate crime and support
A hate crime is a criminal offence that is perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on someone's:
- disability
- race or ethnicity
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity.
It can include verbal abuse, threats, harassment, intimidation, physical attacks, criminal damage and abuse online.
You can also experience a hate incident where what has happened may not amount to a criminal offence but is motivated by hostility or prejudice.
You do not need to work out whether something is a hate crime before asking for help or reporting it.
Reporting hate crime
If there is an immediate danger, violence is taking place or someone is threatening violence, call 999.
If it is not an emergency, you can report hate crime to Staffordshire Police online or by calling 101.
You can also get support without reporting what has happened to the police.
Support in Staffordshire
Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate (USAH) provides free and confidential support to people affected by hate crime and hate incidents across Staffordshire.
You can contact the service whether or not you have reported what happened to the police.
They can provide information, emotional and practical support, help you understand your options, advocate on your behalf and help you access other specialist services.
Call 0330 0881 339.
Housing support
If hate crime, harassment or violence means you are no longer safe in your home or you are worried that you may have to leave, contact our housing team for advice.
We can talk to you about your circumstances, your safety and the housing options and homelessness support available to you.
If you are a victim of hate crime or other violence and need to leave your home as a result, you will likely be assessed as having priority need.
This will be based on an assessment that it is no longer safe for you to live in a home where you are at risk of domestic abuse or other violence.
You will not be viewed as becoming intentionally homeless if you leave your current home as a result of domestic abuse or other violence.
Find out more about the homelessness support we provide.
Staying safely in your home
Leaving your home is not always the only option.
If you want to remain in your home and it is considered safe and appropriate for you to do so, you may be able to get help through our safer home scheme.
The scheme can provide additional security measures following hate crime, racial harassment, domestic abuse or other violence. A professional supporting you can refer you to the scheme.
