Understanding and Tackling Barriers to Reporting Hate Crime: Evidence Review

Footnotes

1 The Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group was established in April 2022 to ensure a multi-agency, strategic approach towards the development of the Hate Crime Strategy. The group includes organisations from the third-sector representing the characteristics protected under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, as well as justice partners, and public bodies.

2 At the time of writing (February 2026), a Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) to add sex to the Hate Crime Act is being considered by the Scottish Parliament: The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (Characteristic of Sex) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026.

3 The Glasgow Household survey collects data on experiences from a representative sample of Glasgow residents aged 16 and over.

4 Respondents were asked if they had experienced such an issue which they believe was on the basis of one or more of: ethnic origin, race or nationality; religion; sexual orientation; sex; gender identity; disability; age. At the time of writing, sex is not a protected characteristic under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

5 For wider context, it may be worth noting that the 2021/22 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) estimated that nationally 14% of adults said that they had been insulted, pestered or intimidated in the previous year (Scottish Government, 2023e). In response to a follow-up question, 39% said the most recent incident they experienced was or may have been motivated by one of their characteristics.

6 For example, the SCJS provides evidence on victimisation in Scotland, with one of its key strengths being that it is able to include incidents which are not reported to the police. The 2023-24 SCJS estimated that 21% of all headline SCJS crimes (property crime, violent crime, fraud and computer misuse) were reported to the police, leaving the majority of crimes unreported and not captured in police recorded crime statistics (Scottish Government, 2025b).

7 Respondents were asked if they had experienced such an issue which they believe was on the basis of one or more of: ethnic origin, race or nationality; religion; sexual orientation; sex; gender identity; disability; age. At the time of writing, sex is not a protected characteristic under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

8 Respondents that selected ‘no opinion/don’t use’ were removed from this figure.

9 43.7% of 611 respondents said that they had experienced a hate crime/incident; 31.8% had reported their experience to the police.

10 ‘No action’ describes where a decision was taken where there was insufficient evidence to proceed or where further action would be disproportionate.