What Happens on the Hotline?

What happens when I call the Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline or make a report online?

Hotline responders are trauma-informed and trained to respond to people who have witnessed or experienced incidents of hate or bias. Responders will record your report and provide referral services if you wish to access them. You may choose what information to share with us. You can request a follow-up call, or simply submit a report. If you request a follow-up call, our hotline responders will call you back within 2 business days. A follow-up call with a hotline responder will generally follow this process:

Welcome: The hotline responder will share their first name.

Interpreter services: The hotline responder will ask if you need or if you would like an interpreter. We have access to interpreters in over 240 languages via Language Link.

Accessibility needs: The hotline responder will ask if you have any accessibility accommodation requests so we can best meet your needs.

Informed consent: The hotline responder will review our informed consent information and what we do at the hotline.* This will include informing you that:

We collect data on the hotline. RCW 43.10.305(2) requires that we share de-identified data with the governor and state legislature. We do not share your name, phone number, email address, physical address, or any other details that could identify you, any witnesses, law enforcement involved, or even the perpetrator pursuant to RCW 43.10.305(2), unless compelled/required by a court order. You may request that the hotline not collect data about your report; we will still provide you support and referral services on the hotline.
The Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents Hotline is a victim support and information and referral hotline. We do not have the legal authority to open an investigation or case, prosecute or sanction a perpetrator of hate or bias, or otherwise initiate any litigation regarding bias incidents or hate crimes. We can refer and connect victims and witnesses to existing community and government resources (including law enforcement) upon request, both for support as well as for possible investigation.

You can share what happened: The responder will listen, and you can share as much or as little information about the hate or bias you experienced or witnessed; it’s your choice. You do not have to share information like your name, your location, or your protected class information, but the responder may ask you if it helps us respond better to you on the hotline or to connect you with some potential resources and/or support options in your community. It is your choice if you want to share this information with us or not.

Support: The responder will ask what your desired outcome of the call is, and if you are interested in support options with one or several of our many local service providers and community partner agencies.

Resources: The responder will ask if you are interested in options for next steps such as investigation by an existing governmental program or law enforcement, where relevant.

Safety: The responder will ask you about safety, and work with you to brainstorm options for you to make a plan for your physical and emotional safety.

Permission before sharing: The responder will ask for your permission before sharing any of your information with another person, agency, community, system, government, or otherwise.

Feedback: The responder may ask if you feel like you know more about resources, if we’ve helped you to make informed choices, if you have new ideas about staying safe, if you better understand law enforcement, and/or if you feel you’ve been treated with dignity and respect on the call.

How do I submit a report?

You may choose to submit a report to the hotline by calling the line by phone where you will reach a voicemail line or by submitting a report online.

Hotline Voicemail

Our line is a voicemail line staffed Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. You may choose what information you share with us. You can include:

Your name (you can also report completely anonymously)
Your phone number, including area code
Your location (town or county is fine)
Why you believe you were targeted (protected class information, identity or perceived identity markers, etc.)
If you’ve reported the incident of hate or bias to law enforcement or another agency already
If you’re looking for support or options about next steps, or both
What times and ways it’s best to reach you (e.g.- it’s best to call me Tuesdays after 1pm)

If you request a call back, a hotline responder with call you back as soon as possible, sometimes within 2 business days.

Interpretation is available to over 240 languages via LanguageLink.

Making a Report Online

Our Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Online Reporting Web Portal form is available for you to submit a report online, completely anonymously if you choose.

If you choose to report online through our web portal, you will be asked for the following information:

Targeted person’s protected class
The age range of the targeted person
An estimated date of the bias
A brief description of the bias
If the bias victim knew or knows the bias perpetrator
City where the bias occurred
County, waterway, or reservation where the bias occurred
Setting of the incident (at home, on public transportation, at school, etc.)
If you’ve reported to law enforcement
If you would like a call back from the Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline
If you would like a referral to law enforcement
If you would like a referral to a local service provider or community partner
Who the reporter (the person filling out the form) is in relation to the bias (victim, witness, bystander, etc.)
Your name, contact information, language, pronouns, and accessibility needs (optional)

You can choose if you want the Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline to contact you back.

You can request that a copy of your completed form be emailed to you by clicking “Send me a copy of these answers via email” at the bottom of the page.

Attorney General