Reporting Hate Crime

A hate crime is any crime where the victim’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity is the motivation behind a crime.

Some examples of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime include:

- Emotional harm: for example verbal abuse, bullying or being threatened or intimidated in any way linked to your sexuality and/or identity
- Physical and/or sexual harm: including physical assault, inappropriate touching or non-consensual sex
- Having your home or belongings targeted with graffiti or vandalism targeting you based on your sexuality and/or identity
- Your friends and family being abused or targeted because of your sexual orientation or gender identity

Some people may be a victim of hate crime because of illness or disability, which includes HIV status.

Unfortunately, many people experience hate crime associated with their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you experience this, remember you are protected by the law in Scotland.

If you have experienced a hate crime you might be nervous about reporting it directly to the police. We can support you to access remote reporting which allows you to report crimes to the police anonymously, or be with you should you need to give information or make a statement.

If you’re concerned about hate crime, or have been a victim, and want to talk about it confidentially, you can contact SX for advice and support.

You can report hate crime in the following ways:

In person:

For a list of locations, visit the Police Scotland website at https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/reporting-hate-crime/third-party-reporting-centres.

Over the phone:

SX - 0131 652 3250 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm)
Waverley Care (Highland) - 01463 711 585 (Mon-Fri, 10:00am - 4:00pm)
LGBT Helpline - 0300 123 2523 (Tues/Wed 12:00pm-9:00pm)
Police Scotland - 101 (non-emergency), 999 (emergency)

Looking for support? Can't find the answers you need online? Fill out our self-referral form at https://s-x.scot/about-sx/sx-services/reporting-hate-crime, and one of the team will get back to you.