We want our neighbourhoods to be safe places for everyone. We won’t tolerate behaviour that prevents our customers feeling secure in their home and their neighbourhood.

What is hate crime?

A hate crime is any behaviour that someone thinks was caused by hostility, prejudice or hatred of their:

• disability, including physical impairments, mental health problems, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairments
• gender identity (people who are transgender, transsexual or transvestite)
• race, skin colour, nationality, ethnicity or heritage
• religion, faith or belief, including people without a religious belief
• sexual orientation (people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual etc.).

Anyone can be a victim of hate crime if they are targeted because of who they are, their friends or family or even who the perpetrator thinks they are.

Hate crime can include:

• name calling or verbal abuse
• graffiti or abusive writing
• damage to property
• threats or intimidation
• bullying or harassment
• physical attacks or violence, including sexual violence, arson and murder.

Why should I report hate crime?

By reporting hate crime, you can get the support you may need and help ensure offenders are brought to justice and can’t do the same to other people.

By reporting incidents, you’ll enable organisations like the police, local councils and housing associations to build up patterns of behaviour locally, and highlight areas of concern within your community.

By reporting what’s happened to you, you may also prevent these incidents from happening to someone else.

What can I do if I’ve been a victim or witness of hate crime?

• Report it to the police – hate crime is a criminal offence.
• Report it to Riverside Scotland – contact us if you have been affected by hate crime. Our tenants are responsible for ensuring they, their household and visitors don’t harass others.

If you report an incident to us we will ask for the details and discuss any immediate action that needs to be taken.