Hate Crime Advocacy Service – SHSCT area

The Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS) offers a safe and confidential space to provide support to victims of hate and signal crimes across the different protected characteristics. We can support you whether or not you have reported the crime to the police. We accept referrals from all agencies and self-referrals. Interpreters across a wide range of languages are available upon request.
Experiencing a hate crime is extremely traumatic, not only for the individual, but for whole community who also often live in fear of being targeted. We understand well how long, gruelling and difficult the criminal justice process can be for hate crime victims, which is why we’re here to support you each step of the way.
What’s often forgotten is how difficult the investigation and judicial processes can be, which is why the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Department of Justice have funded the Hate Crime Advocacy Service. Hate Crime Advocates aim to support you through these processes with compassion by lending an empathetic and helping hand.
The advocates can act as a liaison between you and the criminal justice agencies that you may become involved in the aftermath of a crime. We want to increase your confidence in the criminal justice system so that you are certain, when reporting your experiences, that they will be taken seriously. Our goal is to reduce barriers and improve access to the criminal justice system. For people aged 18 and over. Cost: Free.