What to Do If You’ve Been The Victim of a Hate Crime

Find steps you can take if you have been the victim of a hate crime.

Below are some steps you can take if you have been a victim of a hate crime.

  • Get medical help, if necessary.
  • Write down any and all of the details of the crime as soon as possible after the incident. Include the perpetrator[s] gender, age, height, race, weight, clothes and other distinguishing characteristics. If any threats or biased comments were made (such as anti-gay epithets), include them in the report.
  • File reports.
    • File a police report
      • Get the responding officer’s name and badge number
      • Make sure the officer files an incident report form and assigns a case number. If a police report is not taken at the time of your report, go to the police station and ask for one. Always get your own copy, even of the preliminary report.
      • If you believe the incident was bias-motivated, urge the officer to check the “hate/bias-motivation” or “hate crime/incident” box on the police report.
    • Notify your local LGBTQ+ community organization about the incident
  • Find support.
Topics:
Hate Crimes