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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.
Friends and family
Get professional help – from a LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist