What is crime motivated by hate?
Any criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by an individual's hate, prejudice or bias against an identifiable group based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical disability, mental disability, martial status, family status, source of income or any other similar factor.
All crime motivated by hate must be reported to law enforcement.
Assault
Distribution of hate propaganda
Uttering threats (in-person or online)
Property damage crimes (destruction of religious property, graffiti or vandalism motivated by hate)
What is an incident motivated by hate?
Hate incidents are actions or occurrences that are non-criminal in nature but are still motivated by hate and evoke similar effects on the community.
Hate incidents often go undocumented and unreported. If you experience a hate incident, report it to your local law enforcement and document it on StopHateAB.ca.
Bullying motivated by hate, bias or prejudice
Saying racial or homophobic slurs or name-calling
Distribution of prejudicial materials promoting hate (hate flyers)
Racist or offensive emails, jokes or other prejudicial actions
What should I do if I experience an incident motivated by hate?
Though hate incidents are non-criminal in nature, they should still be reported to law enforcement as it provides vital information.
Hate incidents can also be documented on StopHateAB.ca. The purpose of this website is to address the gap in reporting from people who experience or witness hate. The Alberta Hate Crimes Committee may be able to provide supports and resources to some incidents. Documenting incidents informs the work of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee and determines where resources are needed.
How are crimes motivated by hate different from other crimes?
Only 1 in 10 hate crimes are ever reported to law enforcement officials
Are "message crimes" designed to instill fear and terror in an entire community
Enhance feelings of victimization, vulnerability and fear
May promote community reactive crime (such as vigilantism)
Can lead to copycat incidents
Can polarize communities and prevent them from supporting each other
May enhance loss of trust and/or fear in law enforcement
Heighten security concerns at schools, home or places of worship