Not thinking it is serious enough to report / unsure it is a crime.
The hate crimes we see in the media are often violent, which means we can sometimes downplay things like verbal abuse or derogatory language. However, nobody is deserving of such treatment, and these could still be a hate crime. Sometimes experiencing a hate crime is obvious, like an assault, verbal abuse, blackmail or harassment.
But prejudiced comments might feel less clear. If you feel that someone has done or said something that was motivated by prejudice, it’s best to tell someone about it, and take action to stop it happening again to someone else. Even if you are not sure if what they have done has broken a criminal law, you can still report it to the police or talk to us about it, we will be able to offer support and guidance.
Fear of not being taken seriously / fear of being outed.
Reporting hate crime can feel like an intimidating option in itself for some of us. If you feel you need additional support to report a hate crime or non-criminal hate incident with the backing of an organisation that has an understanding of LGBT+ issues, you can contact us.
You might also want to contact a trusted person such as a friend or family member to help support you through the reporting process. The police have a duty of care towards you and should not out you without your consent, your personal information is protected under data protection regulations.
info@norfolklgbtproject.org.uk
01603 219299
