Hamilton Together: how to report hate in Hamilton and where to get support

The campaign

Residents and community partners gathered at Hamilton City Hall on October 22 to launch Hamilton Together: Show Up, Speak Out, Stop Hate, a public awareness campaign on hate prevention and response, the City said in an October 23 media release. It says more than 200 people attended, and that the campaign is meant to help residents understand how to respond when they experience or witness hate and where to turn for information and support. The City says the campaign advances its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan's focus on hate prevention and response through public education, resources and community partnership. The City's hate-prevention work, its Hate Prevention and Response page says, is part of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2025–2029 and is done in partnership with Hamilton Police Service, the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), the Hamilton Anti-Hate Coalition and other community partners.

Where to report and get support

The page says other community, human rights, workplace, school or service-based supports may also be available, depending on the situation. It suggests documenting the date, time and location of the incident, what happened, and any photos, videos or other information that can be safely collected, and it says reporting can help connect people to support and identify patterns of hate in Hamilton.

Hate incidents and hate crimes

The City distinguishes the two. A hate incident, it says, is an action or behaviour motivated by bias, prejudice or hate that may not meet the legal threshold of a criminal offence, such as offensive comments, gestures or hateful material. A hate crime is a criminal offence where there is evidence that hate, bias or prejudice was a motivating factor. Either way, the City encourages residents to document what happened, seek support and consider their reporting options, and it says organizations can help identify next steps.

If you witness hate

• Check in with the person being targeted and ask if they need support.
• Distract or safely redirect attention away from the situation.
• Get help from others nearby, staff, security or an appropriate authority.
• Document details if it is safe and appropriate, and follow up with the person afterward to help connect them with support if they want it.

The City says your safety and the safety of others comes first: do not intervene if doing so could put anyone at risk, and use the reporting and support options through Hamilton Police Service and HARRC instead.