What is a Hate Crime and Hate Incident?
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Whether you're a student or a staff member, any form of hate is never okay and is not tolerated at the University of Cumbria, as is covered in our University Inclusivity Statement. If you experience any form of hate, then we encourage you to report your concerns to You Report, We Support.
Please note: Your report will not trigger a formal complaints process, and the advisor can confidentially speak to you about both your reporting and support options. You will never be forced to submit a report to the police, or a Formal Complaint to the University- as this is your choice.
What is considered a Hate Crime and/or Hate Incident?
The police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have agreed the following definition for identifying and flagging hate crimes:
"Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity."
There is no legal definition of hostility so the everyday understanding of the word which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike is used.
There is a difference between a hate crime and a hate incident.
- What is a Hate Crime?
- What is a Hate Incident?
- Affected By Hate?
- Want To Speak To Someone About Your Options?
- Formally Report What Happened
- Looking For Emotional or General Support?
- Do Nothing
A hate crime is a criminal act that is motivated by bias or prejudice against a person or group based on characteristics/perceived characteristics such as:
- Disability
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual Orientation
- Transgender Identity
In essence, it's not just the crime itself (like assault, vandalism, or threats), but the motive behind it - specifically, targeting someone because of who they are or are perceived to be - that defines it as a hate crime.
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Assaults "A person is physically or verbally attacked as a result of a protected characteristic" |
Hate Mail (Malicious Communication) "A physical or digital message that expresses hostility, prejudice or threats towards an individual or group based on the protected characteristics" |
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Vandalism (Criminal Damage) "Defacing and/or damaging physical property with the intention of targeting a persons protected characteristic" |
Harassment "Repeatedly following or contacting someone with the intent to intimidate them because a protected characteristics" |
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Verbal Abuse "Name-calling and/or offensive jokes" |
Offensive Social Media Posts "Derogatory memes or comments about a protected characteristic without directly targeting someone" |
Refusal of Service "A shop assistant refuses to serve a customer because of a protected characteristic" |
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Malicious complaints "Over parking, smells, or noise" |
Offensive Propaganda "Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters about a protected characteristic" |
Mocking or Imitating Accents "Imitating of mocking a person's speech of movements" |
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by hate, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. That's okay.
What happened was not your fault, you're not alone, and what you do next will always be your choice.
Are you in Immediate Danger?
You Report, We Support is not an emergency reporting tool.
If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured:
- Contact the Emergency Services on 999
Alternatively, if you are on campus you can call
- On Campus Security: Lancaster 07809 190566, Carlisle 07809 190530, Ambleside 07809 190531
If you are Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a Text Phone is available on: 18000
Find a Safe Space
- Find a Safe Space: try to find a space which makes you feel most comfortable and safe from harm.
If you are not in immediate danger, currently feel safe from harm and do not need to report an emergency - then speaking to someone about your options is a great place to start.
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Report an incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Your report will not trigger a formal complaints process, and the advisor can confidentially speak to you about both your reporting and support options. You will never be forced to submit a report to the police, or a Formal Complaint to the University- as this is your choice.
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The University of Cumbria Student's Union can provide support, advocacy and advice to students even if they do not wish to report.
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If you are a member of staff and have opted to join one of the three unions recognised by the University; UCU, Unite and UNISON, they will be able to offer advice, advocacy and support. All help and advice from unions is independent of the University of Cumbria.
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Victim Support: is the independent charity for people affected by crime and traumatic events in England and Wales. Their support is free and confidential.
It is entirely within your right to formally report a hate crime. You can formally report something to the University and/or the police if it constitutes a criminal offence.
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Report an Incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Student Services advisors can help outline your formal reporting options, as well as describing what these processes might look like and what an investigation would entail.
We would strongly advise seeking the support of a Student Services Advisor if you wish to report something to the police.
- Report a Hate Crime to the Police: If you are not in immediate danger but would like to report a Hate Crime to the police you can use their online reporting tool- True Vision. True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online - you do not have to visit a police station to report. The police take hate crime very seriously and will record and investigate this offence even if you do not want to give your details. You may also specify how you want to be contacted and if contacting you would cause you any difficulties. The police will not pass on your details without your consent and we would urge you to give your details when you report.
If you would like to speak to someone about how the incident(s) has emotionally affected you, or you would like to use some of the support services below for self-care, that is okay.
- Report an Incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Please remember that submitting a report with details through Report and Support, means that someone will be able to personally talk you through your support options and tailor advice to your needs. You will never be forced to submit a formal report.
- Wellbeing Support Services: The University’s dedicated wellbeing services can support you with practical and emotional issues impacting your wellbeing or mental health and aspects of University life, including referrals for counselling and psychology support.
- Students’ Union: Is the SU's Advice Centre with expert staff who can provide support, advocacy and advice to students even if they do not wish to report.
- Personal Tutors: If your studies have been affected by an incident, your personal tutor could help to explain your options with regards to academic support.
- Togetherall: Both students and staff can access the online community, which supports populations with their mental health and wellbeing – helping with feels of anxiety, depression, isolation and stress, to relationship problems and lifestyle challenges. Togetherall have a network of trained professionals providing 24/7 support around the world.
- University Chaplaincy: The University’s dedicated chaplaincy services can support you with practical and emotional support and is available to students of all faiths.
- Stop Hate UK: A national charity that provides independent support, advice and 24/7 reporting services for people affected by hate crime or discrimination.
- Tell MAMA (Anti-Muslim Hate Crime): A reporting and support service for people who experience anti-Muslim hatred, Islamophobia, or abuse because they are Muslim or perceived to be Muslim.
- Community Security Trust (Antisemitic Hate Crime): A UK charity that protects and supports Jewish communities, records antisemitic incidents, and provides a way to report antisemitic hate crime.
- GALOP (Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crime): A specialist LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity offering free, confidential advice, support and advocacy for LGBT+ people affected by hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
It is okay not to want to do anything at this moment in time. It is entirely your choice.
If you ever change your mind, just know these support pages will be here to help direct you towards whichever option you wish to pursue.
The Anchor Anti-racism Group
The flowchart was developed with Cumbria and Lancashire Constabulary members, to outline the steps for reporting hate incidents, in response to the rise of racially motivated hate crimes. It explains:
