Hate (prejudice-motivated) crime and incidents

Examples of hate crime include assault, damaging property, theft, or threatening violence towards a person or group of people because of their:

• race, nationality, ethnicity, cultural background, language
• religion, faith, religious appearance
• sex, sex characteristics, intersex status
• sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual identity
• gender, gender identity
• disability
• political opinion
• homelessness
• age.

Examples of hate incidents include verbal abuse, refusal to assist or provide a service, or rude gestures towards a person or group of people because of their:

• race, nationality, ethnicity, cultural background, language
• religion, faith, religious appearance
• sex, sex characteristics, intersex status
• sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual identity
• gender, gender identity
• disability
• political opinion
• homelessness
• age.

A protected attribute is a personal characteristic that is protected by law, like your religion, sex, gender identity, race, or disability.

Protected attributes include:

• Disability – per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Gender identity – per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Race – per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Religious belief or activity – per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Sex
• Sex characteristics- per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Sexual orientation – per s.4(1), Equal Opportunity Act
• Personal association (whether as a relative or otherwise) with a person who is identified by reference to any of the above attributes.

A person commits a serious vilification offence if they:

• incite hatred, serious contempt, revulsion, or severe ridicule to another person or group based on one or more of the above protected attributes, or,
• threaten physical harm or property damage against a person or group based on one or more of the above protected attributes.

These offences apply to conduct that occurs in both public and private settings including online.

VEOHRC is an independent organisation with responsibilities under Victoria’s human rights laws. Their role is to protect and promote human rights in Victoria.

If you have experienced discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment or vilification you can make a civil complaint with VEOHRC.

The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent body which investigates and conciliates discrimination and human rights complaints.

To make a civil complaint, contact the AHRC.

Antisemitism (anti-Jewish racism) is the demonstration of prejudice, hostility, hatred, or discrimination against Jewish people or Judaism as a religious, ethnic, or racial group.

Nazi symbols include the Nazi Hakenkreuz, and other symbols used by the Nazi party.

Nazi gestures include the salute, a common gesture used by the Nazi party. The arm is extended out in front of the body with the hand flat and palm down.

It is a criminal offence to intentionally display or perform Nazi symbols or gestures if:

• you know, or should reasonably know, that the symbol or gesture is supporting Nazi ideology
• the display is in a public place or in public view
• your display does not fall within one of several exceptions in the new laws.

More information on the laws criminalising the public display of Nazi symbols and gestures, including information on permitted uses, is available on the Victorian Government website.

Our Community Liaison Officer Program includes:

• Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs)
• Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs)
• LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officers (LLOs).

While Liaison Officers will not actively investigate the matter, they will provide support throughout the reporting process.

There are different ways to contact Victoria Police or report a crime.

Communication support is available if you are Deaf, have a hearing or speech impairment, have difficulty with speech or communication, or if English is your second language.

Our hate (prejudice-motivated) crime video is available in the following languages:

• Arabic(opens in a new window)
• Simplified Chinese(opens in a new window)
• Traditional Chinese(opens in a new window)
• English(opens in a new window)
• Hindi(opens in a new window)
• Korean(opens in a new window)
• Persian(opens in a new window)
• Punjabi(opens in a new window)
• Somali(opens in a new window)
• Urdu(opens in a new window)
• Vietnamese(opens in a new window).

Download our community resources in the following languages:

Step Together supports the community in overcoming violent extremism and focuses on early intervention and awareness

Department of Home Affairs Addressing hate offers crisis and mental health support services are available to everyone.

AHRC Racism, it stops with me provides information and tips for bystanders.

QLife is a free and anonymous peer-support and referral service for LGBTIQ+ people. You can contact them on 1800 184 527 between 3:00 pm and 12:00 am AEST daily or webchat at QLife - Support and Referrals.

You can access 24-hour advice and support from:

• Lifeline or by calling 13 11 14, for 24-hour crisis support.
• Beyond Blue or by calling 1300 224 636, for 24-hour support for anxiety, depression, and suicide depression.
• 13YARN or by calling 13 92 76 for 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.