Hate Crimes vs. Hate Incidents
What is the main difference between a hate crime and a hate incident?
A hate crime involves a criminal act (like assault or vandalism) motivated by bias; a hate incident involves bias but may not be a crime.
Someone yells a racial slur at a stranger in public, but doesn’t touch them. Is this a hate crime or hate incident?
Hate incident. (No physical harm or threat, just hateful speech.)
What is an upstander?
Someone who actively intervenes or supports someone targeted by hate or bias.
If you witness a hate incident but feel unsafe intervening directly, what is one thing you can still do?
Document it, report it, or check in with the victim afterward.
True or False: A hate incident is always illegal.
False. Hate incidents can be deeply hurtful but are not always illegal.
A swastika is spray-painted on a synagogue. What kind of offense is this?
Hate crime. (Vandalism with hate symbols is a criminal act.)
Name one safe thing you can do if you witness a hate incident.
Distract, document, delegate, delay, or directly intervene safely.
How can documenting a hate crime/incident be helpful?
It can be used as evidence, support victim claims, and identify trends in hate.
Name one example of a hate crime.
Examples: Vandalizing a mosque, physically attacking someone due to race or religion.
A person is assaulted after the attacker asks if they are LGBTQ+. What is this an example of?
Hate crime. (Assault motivated by sexual orientation is criminal and bias-based.)
What does the "5 D's of Bystander Intervention" stand for?
Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct.
Who should you call if someone is in immediate danger during a hate crime?
Call 911 immediately.
Name one example of a hate incident that is not a crime.
Examples: Name-calling, spreading hate flyers (if not inciting violence).
A Muslim student is constantly harassed online with anti-Islamic messages. What might this be considered?
Potential hate incident and possibly cyberbullying or harassment, depending on local laws.
True or False: You should always physically intervene during a hate crime.
False. Physical intervention should only be used if it is safe and necessary. Prioritize safety.
What’s one way schools or workplaces can prevent hate incidents?
Implement training on bias, diversity, and bystander intervention. Establish clear policies.
Explain why it's still important to report hate incidents.
Because they can escalate into hate crimes, help track patterns, and allow for community responses.
A person refuses to serve someone because of their ethnicity. What category does this fall under?
Could be a civil rights violation or discrimination, possibly a hate crime depending on laws.
You see someone being harassed on public transport. Give a 3-step plan for being an upstander.
Example plan: 1) Stay nearby to show support, 2) Record safely without escalating, 3) Report the incident afterward.
What kind of support might a hate crime survivor need?
Emotional support, legal assistance, counseling, or connecting to community organizations.