General Hate Crime Safety Tips and INFO for the LGBTQ

HATE CRIMES ARE CRIMINAL ACTIONS INTENDED TO HARM OR INTIMIDATE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, ETHNICITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION, OR OTHER MINORITY GROUP STATUS

Hate Crimes Must Be Reported:

Hate Crime National Hotline 1-206-350-HATE
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE
Hate Crimes Hotline at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 1-800-552-6843

If you have been victimized in a hate crime or hate incident, here are some suggestions for things you are suggested to  immediately do:

* In an emergency, dial 911 or the emergency number in your area.
* Get medical attention for any injuries.
* Call the police as soon after the incident as possible. You may be eligible for financial compensation for damages.
* Get the responding officer’s name and badge number.
* Write down all details of the crime as quickly as possible after the reporting.
* If you saw the perpetrator(s), try to remember gender, age, height, race, weight, build, clothes and other distinguishing characteristics. If anything was said, such as anti-gay epithets or threats, make a mental note about them.
* Carefully preserve any evidence, such as notes, clothing, graffiti, tape recordings, fingerprints, etc. Take photographs of any injuries and of the location where the incident occurred.
* If you want the crime to be reported as a hate/bias crime, tell the officer to note that on the report.
* Make sure the officer files an incident report form and assigns a case number.
* If the police do not assist you properly, file a complaint
*If a police report is not taken at the time of your report, go to the police station and ask for one. Always get your own copy.

General Safety Tips

Violence and harassment against the LGBT community is real. Learn to recognize potential problems and warning signs in your daily routine. Not every attack can be prevented. There are things you can do reduce your risk. Your primary consideration should be your personal survival.

Here are a few safety tips that may help:

STAY ALERT.

Awareness is your best self-defense; know what is happening around you. Be especially careful if you are alone or drunk. You must avoid being a victim by staying alert. Watch where you are going and what is going on around you. The same principles of defensive driving should be used when walking or going about your daily activities: Look for potential problems, and be prepared to react to them.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.

Don’t assume a false sense of security because you are either surrounded by people or in a remote area. If you think something is wrong, remove yourself from the situation. Trust your gut — if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

WHEN WALKING, PLAN THE SAFEST AND MOST DIRECT ROUTE.

Evaluate and be aware of your surroundings. Use well-lit, busy streets. Keep a safe distance between you and others, and always have an out (somewhere you can turn to run if you feel threatened.) Walk with friends or a group. When you are out late at night, have a friend accompany you – don’t go alone. Let someone know where you will be going and when you will return. Avoid shortcuts, dark alleys, deserted streets and wooded areas. If you feel uneasy, trust your instincts and go directly to a place where there are other people.

PROJECT CONFIDENCE.

Walk as if you know where you’re going. Stand tall. Walk in a confident manner, and hold your head up. Keep your hands free and keep them chest high in crowds.

CARRY A WHISTLE.

If you feel threatened, blow your whistle, bang garbage cans, honk your horn, or shout “fire!” to attract attention. Only wear things around your neck that will break free if some one grabs them on the run.

HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED READY.

Hold your keys when going to and from your car, home and business. This will save time and give you some security in having protection. Any device you carry for protection may be used AGAINST you. Select such security devices carefully. Don’t carry more money than you will need, but always have emergency change for a phone call.

IF YOU FEEL THREATENED..

Cross the street, change direction, run to a place where there are other people, or walk closer to traffic. Step out in the street on the other side of parked cars. Be alert when some one moves into your space, that three foot radius around you.

IF YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED IN A CAR, TURN AROUND AND WALK QUICKLY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Get the license plate number and a description, if possible. Give this to the police.

IF YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED ON FOOT, TURN AROUND TO LET THE PERSON KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THEM.

Immediately cross the street or run toward a place where a number of people will be.

IF YOU DECIDE TO BRING SOMEONE HOME…

Introduce her or him to a friend, acquaintance or bartender so that someone knows who you left with.

WHEN DRIVING A FRIEND HOME, WAIT FOR A SIGNAL THAT THE FRIEND IS IN THE HOME AND SAFE BEFORE DRIVING AWAY.

Develop a signal that involves more than simply turning a light on. A more complex signal, like turning the light on and off three times, will be distinct and make potential danger clear.

IF A STRANGER IS AT YOUR DOOR, DO NOT GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE HOME ALONE.

Shout over your shoulder, or indicate in some way, that there is another person present.

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO STRANGERS WITHOUT VERIFYING THEIR IDENTITY.

Make strangers show you a picture ID and make police officers show you formal identification.

DO NOT GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE OR TO “WRONG NUMBER” CALLERS.

Instruct children, visitors, and/or extended family members to do the same.

DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET.

REPORT INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE OR HARASSMENT.

If you don’t report what happens, you can’t get help to deal with it. Contact your local police.

SOURCE: www.stoppingthehate.com

Stopping The Hate is a Human Rights Coalition devoted to ending hate crimes and calling attention to injustices in the LGBT Community. Stopping The Hate was founded by transsexual film actress, author, singer and activist Meghan Chavalier in July 2008.

Article Library WEBSITE – (CLICK HERE TO CONNECT)

Article Library Is a comprehensive website to learn more about hate crimes and the laws that have been put in place to deal with them.:

– History of Hate Crimes –  Information on Hate Crimes – Effects on Victims  – What Parents & Adults Can Do -What Students/Youth Can Do

SOURCE: www.grabellaw.com

Polo LCSW would like to extend a warm thank you to Jessie and Jessica, of  The Laramie Public Library, for sharing this great site with us and for being great allies for the equal rights and protection of  LGBTQ individuals.