Supports for people who experience hate crimes in Ireland

A hate crime is a criminal act of violence or hostility directed at someone because of who they are or who someone thinks they are. For example, if someone is attacked because they are (or they are perceived to be) gay, this is a hate crime. Hate crimes are motivated by prejudice, hatred or bias and can be due to someone’s race, nationality, religion, skin colour, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity or disability.

What should I do if I experience a hate crime?

If you experience abuse or violence of any kind it can be extremely distressing and take a toll on both your physical and mental health. It is important to remember that such behaviour is illegal and that you do not deserve to experience any sort of hate in your life and that none of what you are experiencing is your fault.

If you are experiencing hate crime:

• Report it where it happened (eg. public transport, your school, a shop, online)
• Report it to the Gardaí
• Speak to someone you trust about what you are experiencing
• Speak to a mental health professional if it is taking a toll on your mental health
• Visit a GP if you have experienced physical abuse
• Speak to victim support organisations
• Get in touch with your local community organisation or organisation working with the affected community (i.e. Traveller organisation, a migrant support organisation, LGBT organisation, disability rights organisation etc.)

Reporting hate crimes to the Gardaí

If you experience/witness a hate crime you should report it to An Garda Síochánna, either Emergency Services (999) or your local Garda station. If you feel that you haven’t been taken seriously when you speak to the Gardaí you can ask to speak to the Diversity Officer who should be better able to assist you.

You can learn more about the process of reporting a hate crime, what happens next, the investigation process and victims’ rights in the INAR Responding to Racism Guide.

Other Gardaí helplines you can contact are:

• Garda Victim Service Office – 01 6663 880/363 or email [email protected]
• The Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit (GNDIU) on 01 6663150 if you experience racist abuse
• Every Garda Station also has an LGBT Liason Officer and Ethnic Liaison Officer
• Illegal content online (including websites, blogs, emails, social media content etc.) can be reported to Hotline.ie which is run by the Gardaí

If you experience a hate crime online you should block the person immediately and report them to the online platform you experienced the abuse on

Who can support me if I experience a hate crime?

If you experience a hate crime there are supports that can help you.

LGBTI+ support

• TENI (Trans Equality Network Ireland)
• LGBT Ireland
• BeLonGTo

Support for people with disability 

• Inclusion Ireland

Supports for people experiencing racism

• INAR Ireland
• Doras Luimní (Limerick)
• The Immigrant Council of Ireland
• Pavee Point or any local Traveller organisation
• Crime Victims Helpline on Freephone 116006
• NASC- Irish Immigrant Support Service (Cork)

Report racist incidents to iReport.ie

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.