Hate crime legislation independent review: consultation (easy-read)
Easy-read version of consultation to inform the independent review of hate crime legislation in Scotland, chaired by Lord Bracadale.
Some of the words we use in this paper
Aggravated
When something is made worse.
Crime
When someone breaks a law.
Criminalise
Turn an activity into a criminal offence by making it illegal.
Hate
A very strong feeling of dislike towards a person or group of people.
Hate crime
When you become the victim because of who you are.
Offence
The law a person has broken. Different offences are punished in different ways.
Prejudice
This is when someone thinks something about a person or group which is not based on facts.
Protected characteristics
When we talk about hate crime law these groups are known as the protected characteristics:
1. Race
2. Religion
3. Disability
4. Sexual orientation
5. Transgender identity
Sentence
The punishment for a crime. For example, how long a person goes to prison for.
Statutory aggravations
When a person has committed another offence (such as assault or breach of the peace), but has done it in a way which is aggravated by hate or prejudice against particular individuals or groups.
Transgender identity
When someone is born a man and lives as a woman or born a woman and lives as a man.
Victim
The person who the crime is against.
Contact
Email: Independent review of hate crime legislation - secretariat, secretariat@hatecrimelegislationreview.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000 – Central Enquiry Unit
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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