Hate crime

What is hate crime?

A hate crime is a criminal act that is motivated by prejudice or hatred against someone because of their identity or characteristics. This can include their race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other aspects of who they are.

Resources

Presentations,
Lesson Plans, Videos and Worksheets.

Forms of hate crime

  • Physical Violence: Assaulting someone because of their race, religion, or any other characteristic.
  • Verbal Abuse: Using slurs, threats, or insults directed at someone’s identity, like their nationality, religion, or sexuality.
  • Online Hate: Spreading hate speech, threats, or discriminatory content through social media or online platforms.
  • Damage to Property: Vandalizing or destroying property associated with a specific community, such as a place of worship, cultural center, or individual’s home.

Online Radicalisation

Radicalisation is the process by which someone starts to adopt extreme views, beliefs, or ideologies that can lead them to support or engage in harmful, violent, or illegal actions. This process can happen gradually and may affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Radicalisation can occur around various issues, such as politics, religion, race, or social causes.

The process of radicalisation may involve:

  • Being groomed online or in person
  • Exploitation, including sexual or criminal exploitation
  • Psychological manipulation
  • Exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
  • The risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.

Signs someone may be being groomed and radicalised could include:

  • Isolating themselves from family and friends
  • Unwilling or unable to discuss views
  • Increased levels of anger
  • Talking as if speaking from a script/ not using words they normally use
  • A sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
  • Secretive, especially around their phone or internet use

Get help

If you are concerned about a friend, it can be tempting to not get involved. Whilst more difficult, helping to try to stop things before they get even worse is often the right thing to do.

If you see online graphic or violent extremist material or content that supports, directs, or glorifies terrorism, you can report using an anonymous form on the Gov.uk website.
 https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

Or if you see the above content on a social media app, you can report it via the app itself.
If you believe someone is going to act in a way to cause immediate harm others, such as carryout an attack call 999.

Resources

Introduction to Disinformation and Radicalisation

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.

Warning: contains content of the impact of racism and references to the 2024 UK civil unrest that some viewers might find upsetting.

Interactive Presentation (PowerPoint containing films)

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.

Warning: contains content of the impact of racism and references to the 2024 UK civil unrest that some viewers might find upsetting.

1. How to identify information you can and cannot trust
2. How disinformation and radicalisation can increase hate
3. How to protect yourself and others

Lesson plan notes

Suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and above.

Warning: contains content of the impact of racism and references to the 2024 UK civil unrest that some viewers might find upsetting.

A summary of the content, timing guidance and activities included in the Interactive Presentation.

Helping children & young people stay safe
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Get help

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please dial 999.

If you need help and advice call childline 0800 1111 or text the missing persons helpline 116 000.

If you have concerns about a young person who might be at risk or someone you suspect is an offender call your local police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.