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A hate incident is when you experience an act of hostility which you believe is motivated by your: 

• Race
• Disability
• Religion
• Transgender identity
• Sexual orientation 

These are also known as protected characteristics under Hate Crime legislation in the UK. A hate incident could be verbal abuse, threats of violence, harassment, bullying, intimidation or online abuse.  

A hate incident becomes a hate crime when a criminal offence has been committed because of hostility or prejudice based on your protected characteristic. A criminal offence is an act that breaks the law and can include offences such as assault, harassment, theft, criminal damage, hate mail and fraud.

Discrimination is when you are treated unfairly, differently or unfavourably because of one of the9 protected characteristics you may possess under the Equality Act 2010, which are:, 

• Age
• Race or Ethnicity
• Religion or Belief
• Sexual Orientation
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Sex
• Pregnancy and Maternity.

Before contacting us, it would be helpful if you could gather any relevant information or documentation related to your case. This may include details such as dates, times and locations of the incident, as well as any witnesses or evidence you may have. Additionally, if applicable, please gather any correspondence or records related to the incident, such as emails, messages, video footage, photographs or letters. This will assist us in understanding your situation and providing you with appropriate support. 

Collecting evidence of discrimination can be crucial in building a case or addressing the issue effectively. Here are some steps you can take to collect evidence:

1. Document Everything
2. Save Correspondence
3. Gather Witnesses
4. Keep a Diary
5. Collect Physical Evidence
6. Review Policies and Procedures
7. Seek Legal Advice

If you were to contact REF, this is how we can help and support you:

• Report the incident to the police
• Support victim(s) by attending meetings with Police etc.
• Language/ cultural / religious/ gender issues
• Follow up on the matter with police – communication issues
• Attend hate crime forums
• Advise on the Criminal Justice process
• Be a critical friend to the police
• Help construct impact statement from the victim
• Provide Counselling from our counselling officer  and other support services
• Attend court proceedings with the victim
• Support with any complaints to the Police
• Log a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission(IPCC) on your behalf

Our current workload may vary, but we strive to assign a case worker as soon as possible. Typically, it takes approximately 5-10 days to make the initial call. 

When reporting discrimination or hate crime, it is essential to provide as much detail as possible about the incident, including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses or evidence you may have.

Here's how you can report discrimination or hate crime:

1. Contact Race Equality First: We're here to support you every step of the way.
2. Report it to the police: If you've experienced a hate crime, such as physical assault, harassment, vandalism, or threats motivated by prejudice or hostility because of your protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, sexual orientation), you should report it to your local police. They can investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
3. Human Rights or Equality Commission: You can contact them to report incidents of discrimination or hate crime. They may provide support, advice and assistance in filing complaints or seeking redress.
4. Employer or School: If you've experienced discrimination or harassment in the workplace or educational institution, you should report it to your employer, human resources department, or school administration. They are obligated to address and investigate complaints of discrimination and take corrective action as necessary.
5. Online Reporting Platforms: These platforms may allow you to report incidents anonymously and provide information on available support services.

In the UK, individuals are protected against discrimination and have rights to equality under various laws, including the Equality Act 2010. Here are some key rights regarding equality and discrimination in the UK:

1. Protected Characteristics: The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
2. Types of Discrimination: The Equality Act 2010 identifies different types of discrimination, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation.
3. Equality in Employment: Employees and job applicants have rights to equality in the workplace. This includes protection against discrimination in recruitment, employment terms and conditions, promotion, training, and dismissal.
4. Reasonable Adjustments: Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of disabled employees or job applicants. This may include adjustments to premises, working hours, equipment, or job duties.
5. Access to Goods and Services: Individuals have rights to equality when accessing goods, services, facilities and public functions. Service providers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals based on protected characteristics.
6. Education: Students and pupils have rights to equality in education settings. Educational institutions must ensure equal access to education and support services, and they are prohibited from discriminating against students based on protected characteristics.
7. Housing: Individuals have rights to equality in housing and accommodation. Landlords, property owners, and housing providers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals based on protected characteristics.
8. Public Authorities: Public authorities and organisations carrying out public functions have a duty to promote equality and eliminate discrimination. They must consider equality implications in their decision-making processes.
9. Legal Protections: Individuals have the right to take legal action against discrimination. This includes filing complaints with relevant authorities, pursuing civil claims through the courts, or seeking assistance from legal advisors or advocacy organisations.

While the target audience of some of our charity's projects is Black and Ethnic Minority individuals, our services are open to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity or background. Our discrimination casework service and our hate crime support service provide assistance across all equality strands and not just race so these support services are open to any victim of discrimination or hate. We believe in fostering inclusivity and providing support to all individuals in need, irrespective of their identity. 

If you have been accused of racism and strongly deny the accusation, it is important to address the situation carefully and seek appropriate support. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Gather Information: Collect any evidence or documentation that supports your denial of the accusation. 
2. Internal Procedures: If the accusation has been made within a workplace or organisational setting, familiarise yourself with the internal procedures for addressing complaints of racism or discrimination. Follow any established protocols for reporting and resolving such matters.
3. Communicate Professionally: If appropriate, communicate with the individual that has accused you of racism in a professional and respectful manner. Provide your perspective on the situation and present any evidence or information that supports your denial of the accusation.
4. Educate Yourself: Take the opportunity to educate yourself further about racism, unconscious bias and diversity issues. Understanding these concepts can help you address the accusation more effectively and prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
5. Ask the individual to contact Race Equality First for assistance in addressing the accusation of racism. If the accusation is unjustified or unproven, our caseworkers will see this and assist the alleged victim to see this too.

We operate on a hybrid system and kindly request all service users to contact us via phone or email to schedule an appointment with the relevant staff member.