Why Report to the Hotline?

Washington communities, just like others across the United States, are affected by bias crimes and incidents. These incidents have a devastating and long-lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities, making people feel unwelcome or unsafe where they live. Bias crimes and incidents are underreported, and data about their prevalence is limited. We want Washington to be welcoming, inclusive, and safe for all.

The Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline is where you can report hate and get support. The line is to support victims and help track hate crimes and bias incidents. We want to

• Support people who have witnessed or been the target of hate crimes and bias incidents.
• Refer people to services that can help. We are not the police, and we do not report to the police without your permission.
• Bias incidents are acts of prejudice that are not criminal in nature and do not involve violence, threats, or property damage. While bias incident cannot be criminally charged, they are important to report.
• Inform Washington’s legislature, governor, law enforcement, and community about the extent of hate and bias in our state and communities.