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California has officially launched its new resource hotline and website for people to report hate crimes and other acts of bias and be connected with help.
California vs. Hate is a “hotline,” but if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, you need to call 9-1-1. Additionally, to help apprehend criminals who commit hate crimes, you should still call your local police or sheriff’s department, though California vs. Hate offers an alternative to those who choose not to call law enforcement.
For several years, the Arc & UCP California Collaboration has offered leadership to a statewide network of community groups working through legislation and advocacy to upgrade law enforcement agencies’ hate crime prevention, reporting, and response work.
California vs. Hate continues an important step in this advocacy by offering support services to victims who report hate crimes.
There are four ways to access California vs. Hate:
- Call (833) 866-4283/(833-8-NO-HATE) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday (except holidays) to report a hate crime or hate incident and talk to a trained “care coordinator” in any of more than 200 languages.
- Call that number at any other time and leave a message.
- Call 2-1-1 at any time to report and seek support from a professional trained in culturally competent communication and trauma-informed practices.
- Report online at org at any time in one of 15 languages.
All these paths are intended to connect victims with support and services such as mental health support, legal services, or housing – as well as to help gather valid data on hate crimes and hate incidents. Hate crimes, especially anti-disability hate crimes, are notoriously under-reported.
You can report anonymously. Whether or not you give your name, your identity won’t be disclosed to law enforcement or anyone else in most cases. The only exception to non-disclosure is if there is a report of child abuse, abuse of an elder or “dependent adult” (a misleading bureaucratic term for adults with disabilities), or an imminent risk of violence.
For more information and flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese, go to the state Civil Rights Department site, CAvsHate.org.