If you are the victim of a hate crime, you are not to blame. You are not wrong for existing in public, using the restroom that makes you most comfortable, advocating for your community, falling in love, or anything else that a hateful person uses as justification to target you for violence.

Hate crimes should be reported to the FBI–you can call (1-800-CALL-FBI) or contact your closest field office to make your report. After making a report, you will be assigned an FBI Victim Specialist who can help you navigate your next steps.

A hate crime is an attack or threat of an attack that takes place because of someone’s bias towards one or more protected minority statuses. Having a hate crime status added to other charges can make it more likely that the person will face additional penalties and harsher sentencing.

If you believe that you’ve been the victim of discrimination in an academic setting, you can make a report to the Office of Civil Rights/Department of Education–discrimination based on sex and gender identity is a violation of Title IX and other anti-discrimination legislation. This can include things like being denied bathroom or locker room access, being forced to comply with a sex-based dress code, and not having your identity respected by teachers/administrators.

There are multiple legal resources available to you, should you need them–these can be utilized for everything from responding to false accusations of abuse, to custody issues, to helping you advocate for better treatment at work, school, or in public businesses.

Resources:

FBI/DOJ–Hate Crime Threat Guide

FBI–Electronic Tip Form

FBI–Inside the FBI Podcast: Hate Crimes

ACLU–Know Your Rights: A Guide for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students

Department of Education–Resources for LGBTQI+ Students

Department of Education/Office of Civil Rights–OCR Tip Form

LGBTQ Bar–State and Local Affiliate Organizations

LGBTQ Bar–Family Law Attorney Directory

Trans Youth Equality–Legal Resources

White House–Toolkit on Transgender Equality

National Center for Transgender Equality–Fact Sheet on Department of Education Policy Letter on Transgender Students

Michigan–Crime Victim Compensation Infographic

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