A hate crime is an offence against a person or property driven by malice or ill-will towards a social group. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act protects victims of hate crime in Scotland.
You can be considered a victim of a hate crime if you believe you were targeted due to someone's prejudice against specific characteristics.
In Scotland, hate crimes are recognised when motivated by prejudice based on:
You can be considered a victim of a hate crime if you believe you were targeted due to someone's prejudice against specific characteristics.
In Scotland, hate crimes are recognised when motivated by prejudice based on:
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Transgender identity
- Disability
You do not need to belong to a minority community to be a victim of hate crime. The law focuses on the perpetrator's motivation, not the victim's identity.
Hate crimes can include:Hate crimes can occur both online and offline and are always unacceptable. What's illegal offline is also illegal online.
- Threatening behavior
- Verbal abuse or insults, including name-calling
- Assault
- Property damage
- Encouraging others to commit hate crimes
- Harassment
- Online abuse on platforms like Facebook or Twitter
Examples of Hate Incidents
The following can be recorded as hate incidents:
- Verbal abuse, such as name-calling and offensive jokes
- Harassment
- Bullying or intimidation by anyone
- Physical attacks like hitting, punching, pushing, spitting
- Threats of violence
- Hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, or hate mail
- Online abuse, for example, on Facebook or Twitter
- Displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters
- Harm or damage to property, pets, or vehicles
- Graffiti
- Arson
- Throwing rubbish into a garden
- Malicious complaints