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Why It’s Important To Report
Why It’s Important To Report
Every British Columbian has the right to feel safe and to live their lives in the absence of fear or threat. The first step to create communities free from violence, racism and discrimination, is to report hate crimes. We have the right and the responsibility to take action against hate activity to keep our communities safe.
What is Discrimination & Hate Crime?
What is Discrimination & Hate Crime?
Discrimination is when people or groups of people are treated unfairly or prejuducially based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Racism is a form of discrimination based on race.
Hate Crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property, which is motivated by the suspect’s hate, prejudice or bias against an identifiable group and includes verbal abuse/threats, physical assault or damage to property (as defined in section 718.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada). Name calling, insults, displaying hate material on a private property or in public places are examples of hate incidents. If such behavior threatens a person or property, it becomes a hate crime.
We understand that it is difficult to talk about discrimination and hate but remember that you have a right to feel safe and by reporting an incident you are taking the first step to make your community a safer place. If you are a target or a witness to an incident of racism or hate, report it. Don’t let hate have a place in BC.
Reporting any incident, no matter how minor it may seem, is very important. Your reports can help police and community partners better target prevention, education and outreach initiatives in your community. Reports can also help identify social trends and prevent possible escalation to crime. For more information on hate crime, what it is and what to do about it, visit Resilience BC.
People in B.C. who witness or experience a racist incident can call a helpline to receive trauma-informed, culturally appropriate support in more than 240 languages.
The Racist Incident Helpline is a toll-free, accessible service established in partnership with United Way BC 211. The helpline is for people who have been subjected to discrimination based on the colour of their skin, culture, ethnicity or place of origin.
Callers will receive support and guidance, which could include referrals to local community support services, such as counselling or help with reporting to law enforcement.
If you experience or witness a hate crime you can find out how to report it to the police through Resilience BC. Emergency hate crimes are those where you are in immediate danger or under serious threat, and for those you need to call 911. For other hate crimes you can find the details of how to report to the police on their non-emergency numbers.
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