The most important thing is to make sure you are safe as soon as possible, whether that’s by calling 999 for the police, getting help from those around you, or by going to a safe place.
Dial 999 if it’s an emergency and you need immediate assistance!
Shout for help
Go to a safe place as soon as possible
Report the incident to the police or report an incident now
Keep a record of all incidents as they happen e.g. dates, times, what happened, witnesses etc. Logs are available from our resources page.
Keep offensive materials e.g. notes or letters and do not delete abusive text messages, emails or voicemails. These can be used as evidence and may help to identify the abuser.
If you have been attacked - don't shower or change your clothes as it may destroy evidence. If you had your keys taken, you should change your locks.
Talking through what has happened to you will make a difference and help you to sort things out. Tell someone - a friend, neighbour, family member, doctor or even find a support group.
You should also report the incident to the police or another organisation that will recognise how serious the incident has been and provide other support.
If you witness a hate crime, the best things you can do are to help the victim find safety and security as soon as possible, as well as trying to keep a record of the situation.
If it is an emergency and the victim needs immediate help, dial 999 straight away for the emergency services.
Shout for assistance. There may be others willing to help, and drawing attention to the incident means more people witness what happens.
Intervening is not always easy or the best policy if someone is being physically aggressive or threatening. Only consider challenging the abuser if you are sure that it will not place you in danger, antagonise or make the situation worse.
Keep a record of the incident. Include the date, time, what happened, description of offender . If it is safe to do so, consider recording the incident or taking a photo. These may be used as evidence and may help to identify the abuser.
Speak to the victim and offer assistance or to take the them to a safe place. A friendly word can help calm the situation, and more importantly, make the victim feel safer and reassured.
Report the incident to the police or other organisation. If incidents aren't reported, the underlying discrimination can be overlooked. Report an incident now
Witnessing prejudice and discrimation can be upsetting and stressful. Talking through what has happened can help you deal with it. Tell someone you trust - a friend, neighbour, family member or doctor.
You may be required to go to court as a witness to give evidence at a trial. Witness Care Units (WCU) are run jointly by the police and Crown Prosecution Service and will provide support services to all witnesses. Citizens Advice also provide free, independent help to witnesses in criminal courts in England and Wales including practical and emotional support as well as information about court and legal processes. Information on what Citizens Advice offer can be found here
It is not always possible to bring a hate crime prosecution. This is because there might not be enough evidence to allow the case to be prosecuted or to show that it was linked to hostility and should be prosecuted as a hate crime. However, it is always important to report a hate incident so that it can be recorded. It helps us build up a picture of what is going on locally and what can be done to prevent it.
There is a Safe Places Scheme in Warwickshire. If you have been a victim of a hate crime or incident you can go to a Safe Place where you can find support and reassurance. Locations displaying this Safe Places logo can be found across the County. You can find out more information on the scheme and a list of locations here.
A leaflet on the scheme can be found in our Resources section.