Reporting Hate Crime

Some examples of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime include:

• Emotional harm: for example verbal abuse, bullying or being threatened or intimidated in any way linked to your sexuality and/or identity
• Physical and/or sexual harm: including physical assault, inappropriate touching or non-consensual sex
• Use and publication of intimate images of your body and sex you are having without giving consent
• Having your home or belongings targeted with graffiti or vandalism targeting you based on your sexuality and/or identity
• Your friends and family being abused or targeted because of your sexual orientation or gender identity

Some people may be a victim of hate crime because of illness or disability, which includes HIV status.

Unfortunately, many people experience hate crime associated with their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you experience this, remember you are protected by the law in Scotland.

If you have experienced a hate crime you might be nervous about reporting it directly to the police. We can support you to access remote reporting which allows you to report crimes to the police anonymously, or be with you should you need to give information or make a statement.

If you’re concerned about hate crime, or have been a victim, and want to talk about it confidentially, you can contact SX for advice and support.

You can report hate crime in the following ways:

In person:

• SX, 3 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH1 3NB
• Waverley Care (Highland) 6 Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NN
• LGBT Health, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh EH3 6TS
• For other locations visit the Police Scotland website

Over the phone:

• SX  - 0131 652 3250 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
• Waverley Care (Highland) - 01463 711 585 (Mon-Fri, 10am - 4pm)
• LGBT Helpline - 0300 123 2523 (Tues/Wed 12pm-9pm)
• Police Scotland - 101 (non-emergency) 999 (emergency)