How to Report a Hate Crime

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methods

1Notifying Local Law Enforcement

2Reporting to Federal Authorities in the US

3Getting Help from Advocacy Organizations

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

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References

A hate crime is any criminal act motivated by a particular hatred or bias, such as racism, sexism, or homophobia. If you are a victim or witness of a hate crime, file a report with your local law enforcement immediately. They are in a position to respond quickly. Since there is a federal law in the US against hate crimes, you can also report the incident to the FBI. Nonprofit and other advocacy organizations also take reports and provide support to victims of hate crimes.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Notifying Local Law Enforcement

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   Call 911 to report an emergency in the US. If you or someone else is injured or in immediate danger, you should call 911 so police and rescue can respond as soon as possible. If you've witnessed a hate crime, call 911 before trying to assist or support the victims. Outside the US, call the appropriate number for emergency services.

   • For most countries, if you dial 911 or 112 from a mobile phone, you'll reach emergency services. If you're in North America or Europe, either number typically will work.
   • In the UK, call 999 for an emergency, or 101 if no one is in immediate danger.
   • You don't have to give any identifying information about yourself when you call 911. You should be prepared to tell the operator where you are and explain the situation and whether anyone requires medical attention.
   • After calling 911, use your best judgment in getting yourself or others to a safer location.
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   Write down details about the incident. Write down everything you can remember as soon as possible, before your recall of specific details fades. If there are other witnesses, you may want to talk to them as well.

   • If you witness a hate crime and are able to take pictures or video on your smart phone, these will assist the police in tracking down the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
   • Take note of any security cameras nearby, as they may have captured footage of the incident, or of the perpetrator fleeing the scene.
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   Visit the police precinct nearest you if you didn't call emergency services. For less intense situations, you should go to the nearest law enforcement agency to report the incident in person. Bring along any photos or other evidence you have.

   • If the incident took place on a college or university campus, the school may have additional resources for reporting hate crimes besides simply filing a report with campus police.
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   Provide details about the incident. When you enter the police station, tell the front desk officer that you want to report a hate crime. You may have to wait for an officer to come get you and take your report.

   • If you wrote down details, bring your notes with you. You should also bring along any photos or video you have of the incident.
   • Provide as many details as possible to the officer, but try to stick to the facts. Include any details that led you to believe the crime was motivated by hate, rather than simply a random crime. For example, if you were assaulted by someone who was screaming racial epithets at you, that might constitute a hate crime.
   • Take down the name and badge number of the officer who takes the report, in case you need to identify them or follow up on your report later.
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   Get a copy of the police report. When the officer completes their written report, make sure you have a copy for your records. You should be able to get at least a preliminary report initially, although you may have to go back to the station to pick up the final report.

   • Once you have the report, make several copies so you can easily share the report with other law enforcement agencies or advocacy groups.
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   Contact your state's attorney general. You can locate the office of your state's attorney general by searching online. These offices also investigate and collect information about hate crimes.

   • If you were the victim, the state attorney general also may assist you in getting a civil rights restraining order against the perpetrator.
   • Your state attorney general's office may have additional resources they can connect you with, including counseling and victim support groups.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reporting to Federal Authorities in the US

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   Locate the nearest FBI field office. The FBI has 56 field offices located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. You can search an alphabetical list of the field offices online at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices.

   • There are an additional 380 resident agencies in smaller cities and towns. If you can't find a field office nearby, you may be able to locate a resident agency that's more convenient for you.
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   Provide details about the incident. When you arrive at the field office, let the desk agent know that you want to report a hate crime. You'll be connected with an agent who will take your report. You may want to bring along a copy of the local police report.

   • The FBI works in conjunction with local law enforcement on hate crimes. Let the agent know which law enforcement agencies you've contacted. If you turned over any evidence, such as photos or video, to local law enforcement, let them know that as well.
   • The FBI will produce a written report. Make sure you get a copy for your records. If it won't be ready while you wait, find out how you can get a copy or if they'll mail it to you.
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   File a tip online if you can't get to a field office. It's preferable to report a hate crime to the FBI in person, since if you file an online tip you aren't guaranteed a response. However, if the nearest field office isn't close enough for you to visit easily, you can also report hate crimes to the FBI online.

   • To file your report online, go to https://tips.fbi.gov and fill out the form. Note that you don't have to provide your name or contact information. However, the FBI will have no way to get in touch with you if you don't.
   • The field to describe the incident is limited to 3000 characters, and you can't attach any documents or other files. If you have additional evidence that doesn't fit in the form, let the FBI know in your description of the incident.
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   Mail copies of your reports to the Criminal Section of the federal Department of Justice (DOJ). The federal DOJ enforces civil rights laws, and accepts complaints or reports about hate crimes. The DOJ's Criminal Section may be able to provide you additional assistance, but this is not a substitute for reporting the crime to local law enforcement or to the FBI.

   • Collect all the information you provided to the FBI and to local law enforcement, and mail it to the Criminal Section at: US Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, Washington, DC 20530.
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   File a report with your federal district attorney general. The DOJ office in your state also collects information about hate crimes and may provide assistance to you or to the law enforcement agencies investigating the crime you reported.

   • To find contact information for your federal district attorney general, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao/find-your-united-states-attorney and click on your state on the map.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Help from Advocacy Organizations

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   Search for appropriate advocacy groups. There are a number of advocacy and nonprofit groups that are dedicated to protecting and supporting the rights of people who are discriminated against.

   • Some groups protect and defend all civil rights violations generally, while others focus more specifically on a particular group of people. For example, you might contact the Council on American-Islamic Relations if you were assaulted because of your Muslim faith.
   • The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) might help you if you are the victim of a hate crime motivated by homophobia. The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors all hate crimes in the US, whether you were targeted because of your race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other reason.
   • Many groups are international, while others have a national focus. You can find groups that are active in your area with an online search, or by contacting victim support services through your local law enforcement.
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   Organize your report information. Before you contact nonprofit organizations or advocacy groups, make copies of your police reports and any other information you want to share with the group.

   • Since these aren't law enforcement groups, you may also want to provide more information about how the incident made you feel, or how your community has responded.
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   Use online forms to report the incident. Many national groups have online forms on their websites that you can use to report hate crimes. You typically aren't required to provide any contact information, but if you don't the group won't be able to get in touch with you to provide any assistance.

   • If you posted on a blog or on social media about the incident, you may be able to provide a link.
   • Include as many details as possible, including the names of agencies and other groups where you reported the incident and what kind of response you've had so far.
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   Speak to a representative in a local office. If any nonprofit organizations or advocacy groups have an office in your area, go visit them in person and speak to someone who works there. Bring along your police reports and any other information you have.

   • Local offices typically will have more resources available for you, and will be able to respond to you directly.
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   Use the Hate Crime Help website. The American Bar Association, in partnership with Stanford Law School and others, created the Hate Crime Help website to make it easier for victims and witnesses to report hate crime.

   • Enter information about the incident you experienced. Your report will be forwarded to law enforcement agencies, advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations who can help you.
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Tips

• Law enforcement agencies encourage over-reporting, especially of hate crimes. Don't be afraid of sending duplicate reports or involving too many agencies or groups.
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• In Australia, you can file a written complaint online with the Australian Human Rights Commission by visiting https://www.humanrights.gov.au/complaints/make-complaint.
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