What is a hate crime?
A hate crime is a criminal offence against a person or property that is based on race, country of origin, ethnicity, skin colour, religion, sex or gender, age, disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other similar factor.
Hate crimes can include assault, sexual assault, murder, threats, harassment, and property damage (mischief).
Related offences
Two related criminal matters are advocating genocide — supporting the elimination of an identifiable group — and public incitement of hatred, which involves making statements in a public place that promote hatred toward an identifiable group through spoken words, recordings, images, or signs.
If you are a victim
- Write down all the information about what happened (date, time, location, and details).
- Find out if anyone witnessed the crime.
- Take photos of any hate-motivated vandalism.
- Keep any evidence, such as letters or other propaganda.
Report a hate crime
If a crime is in progress or there is immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, report a hate crime to the Belleville Police Service by calling 613-966-0882 or by using the online reporting link on their website.