Individual Advocacy & Legal Assistance

If you are a victim or witness of hate or bias incidents please complete our Hate and Bias Incident Reporting form here. All reports will be kept confidential to the extent possible. You also have the option to file anonymously.

A hate incident is an action or behavior motivated by hate but legally protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. Examples of hate incidents include name-calling, insults, distributing hate material in public places, and displaying hate material on someone’s own property. If a hate incident starts to threaten a person or property, it may become a hate crime.

A hate crime is an offense based on the victim’s color, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, or disability. A hate crime is any crime committed because of these factors, or a victim selected because of these factors. Examples include physical assault, stalking, criminal threatening, vandalism, verbal abuse, and reckless conduct.

Bias incidents are statements that are offensive or racist but are not illegal. These incidents are types of prejudice that are not criminal offenses because legislators have decided not to criminalize them, or because they are protected under the First Amendment. Examples include hate speech, religious slurs, sexist jokes, offensive graffiti, or remarks on social media.