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Hate Crime Reporting Tool

Ottawa Victim Services (OVS) is committed to supporting victims of hate crimes and discrimination within our community. Discrimination can be a form of hate crime when it involves criminal acts motivated by bias against a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other protected characteristics. We recognize the significant impact that hate-motivated acts can have on individuals, families and communities, and we are here to help. Our online Hate Crime Reporting Tool offers a secure and confidential way for victims to report these incidents to our team, enabling OVS to provide the necessary support and resources to those affected. No police report is necessary, and you may be eligible for financial assistance, such as counselling coverage, graffiti removal, or home security items. To get support from our team at OVS, please complete the form below so that we can assess the situation and provide support and advise on possible next steps.

Supports We Provide

When you report an act of hate or discrimination through our tool, you can choose to remain anonymous or identify yourself if you wish to receive direct support. We offer:

Financial Assistance: In some cases, financial assistance may be available to help offset costs related to hate-motivated incidents. This may include:

  • Purchase of home security items, where safety concerns are identified
  • Funding for counselling services, up to $1,500, where the individual qualifies and has no other coverage

Graffiti removal costs, up to $250, if there is no insurance coverage available

Emotional Support: Compassionate and non-judgmental support to help you navigate the emotional impact of the incident.
Resource Guides: Guidance on accessing relevant community resources, including social services, religious institutions, and support groups tailored to your specific needs.

Assistance with Police Reporting: While not mandatory or required to access support from OVS, if you decide to file a police report, we can support you through the process.

Types of Reportable Incidents

Hate-motivated acts can manifest in many forms, targeting individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, relationship status, or other personal characteristics. Examples can include:

  • Verbal harassment and slurs
  • Online harassment and abuse
  • Hoax calls (e.g. A call made to threaten, intimidate, or cause fear toward an individual or community based on a protected characteristic, where the caller knowingly provides false information, such as a fake threat, emergency, or incident motivated by hate or bias.)
  • Abusive and discriminatory calls or text messages
  • Physical assault, bullying, and intimidation
  • Personal property damage and destruction
  • Vandalism in the form of graffiti depicting hate symbols
  • Burning or destroying of religious texts
  • Distribution of discriminatory materials or literature

To report an incident, please be aware that we can only accept reports for incidents that occurred in Ottawa. Please note that this is not a police report. Information provided through this tool will remain confidential unless you choose to identify yourself or there is an immediate safety risk or if there are threats of harm to yourself or others. We do not share personal details with law enforcement or third parties without your clear consent. This form does not replace an official police report. We value your privacy. We’ll only share your personal information with other services if you want us to (unless we have to by law — for example, if child abuse is happening and hasn’t been reported to the police.)

If you are reporting on behalf of someone else, please include as much detail as possible about what happened and who were involved and affected. If you choose to report anonymously, your information will be collected for statistical and demographic purposes only. Anonymous reports help identify patterns and trends related to hate-motivated incidents but cannot be used for follow-up, safety planning, practical, or direct support, as no identifying or contact information is collected.

Hate Crime Reporting Form

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Sorry, we are only able to accept reports from incidents that occurred in Ottawa.

Incident Demographics

Please tell us a little about the incident itself.

Who was targeted by the incident? *
An example can be: I was informed by the person affected, I witnessed it directly, I found evidence such as a text message, online post, graffiti, etc.
Age group of the individual impacted *

Date and location

Please provide more details about the incident itself.

Was the incident online or in-person *
Where in Ottawa did the incident occur?
Please provide the specific mall, grocery store, bar etc
Indirect incidences such as graffiti, mail, posters, or when notes/items are left in places of worship, etc.

Type and motivation

Please provide more details about the type of incident and the motivation behind the incident.

Why do you believe you/they were targeted?
Please be specific
Type of incident *

Consequence and reporting

Please provide more details about the consequences of the incident and if you have reported it elsewhere.

Have you reported this incident elsewhere?
e.g., to police, school authorities, by-law officers, employers, etc.
Has this happened before?
Would you like someone from Ottawa Victim Services to follow up with you?

If you are 15 or under, we can still help you if your parent or guardian agrees. By providing their information, you are consenting for us to contact them on your behalf.

Get help from Ottawa Victim Services

Support soon after a crime or tragedy

Help with costs after crime or tragedy

Help feeling safe after a crime