We all have a role to play in ensuring our communities are safe, inclusive spaces where everyone is celebrated for who they are, and where everyone feels a sense of belonging. When hate or bias occurs in your community, how you respond is critical. If you were victimized, do you know where you can report? Or how to interact with the police?  If you were a witness, do you know how to safely intervene? Or what language to use in speaking with the victim? What about online safety?  Do you know how to talk to kids about hate and bias?

Our Community Bias Response Toolkit provides you with information about the follow questions:

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What is the difference between a hate/bias crime and a bias incident?

• Click here to learn about the difference between a hate/bias crime and a bias incident

What is the difference between hate speech and free speech?

• Free Speech and Hate Speech – a guide to understand the limits of criminalizing hate speech in Oregon and in the United States

I have experienced hate or bias, but I do not want to report to the police. What can I do?

• Document bias for your records – If you are experiencing bias, we encourage you to keep a detailed record for yourself. You may remember the details, people, dates, and times today, but two years from now at a hearing or under oath, it may be helpful to review a tracking document that you created when it was happening.
• Report Hate or Bias to a Hotline – Looking for support? You do not have to report hate or bias to the police.
  • You can always contact Oregon’s statewide Bias Response Hotline to talk about your options. We welcome your call or online report.
  • Click here for additional regional or university support options.
• Basic Rights Information – We have created a reference list of basic rights that everyone in Oregon has when engaging with systems in the aftermath of a bias incident or bias crime.

I have experienced hate or bias and I want to report to the police. What can I do?

• Reporting Hate and Bias to the Police: call 911 for emergencies, or contact your local Oregon law enforcement agency 
• Tips for interacting with police when reporting a hate or bias crime.
• Expectations of police when you report a bias crime – What you need to know to make informed decisions about interacting with the police when reporting a bias crime. Here is a quick fact sheet.
• How to prepare for a meeting with law enforcement or prosecutors.
  • Criminal Justice System – Crime victim advocates assist victims in navigating the criminal justice system.
    • Here is a mapping of the criminal justice system ».
    • Here is a mapping of the juvenile justice system.
• Work with an advocate! The benefits of working with an advocate according to the research.

I have been the victim of a hate/bias crime. What are my rights?

• Crime Victim Rights – there are many Oregon Constitutional and statutory rights for crime victims engaging with the criminal justice system; here are a few key rights for hate/bias crime victims:
  • A victim has the right to be treated with dignity and respect by police and everyone else in the criminal justice process. (Oregon Constitution Article I § 42 (1))
  • A victim has the right to have their safety taken into consideration at every stage of the criminal justice process. (Oregon Constitution Article I § 43 (1))
  • A victim has the right to a free interpreter, whether testifying or simply listening to a hearing, or in helping to assert any Oregon Constitutional victim right. (ORS 45.275, ORS 45.285(3), ORS 419C.285(4))
  • A victim who is 15 years old or older has the right to have a support person with them at every hearing or meeting during the criminal justice process (except Grand Jury and a Child Abuse Assessment). The person cannot be a witness to the crime that is being investigated and must be at least 18 years old. It could be a friend, family member, community leader, or another support person. ORS 147.425
• We’ve provided an overview of Oregon Constitutional and statutory crime victim rights for bias crime victims. This information does not constitute legal advice.
• Oregon’s Victims’ Rights Guides are available in multiple languages.
• If your case has been charged by the local prosecutor’s office, Oregon’s Victim Rights Request Forms are available in multiple languages.
• Victims of federal crimes have rights during the investigation stage and during the prosecution of the criminal case. Learn more about these federal crime victim rights under the Victim Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA) and Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) here ».

If I am the witness to hate or bias, how do I respond or safely intervene?

• Suggested Language if Someone Discloses a Bias Incident or Crime to You.
• Right to Be » offers regular, online, free training on bystander intervention for hate and bias » targeting specific populations.
• The 5 Ds of bystander intervention videos », offered in English, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.
• When do we call out bias, and when do we call in? » by Seed the Way
• Quick references:
  • What can I do if I am targeted in a bias incident?
  • What can I do if I perpetrate a bias incident?
  • What can I do if I witness a bias incident?
  • What can I do if I witness targeting in the classroom?

I’ve been contacted by the media. What are my options?

• The choice to speak with the media is yours. You do not have to give an interview, or can stop your interview at any time.
• Review the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Privacy & Dignity: A Guide to Interacting with the Media » paper for guidance on making this decision.
• We have also provided a one-pager highlighting tips for interacting with the media.

What are some things I should consider in terms of my safety?

• Protective Orders in Oregon – You may be eligible for a civil protective order, even if a crime hasn’t occurred.
  • Here’s a comparison sheet of Oregon’s six protective orders » to help guide you.
  • Obtain protective order forms here ».
  • Watch a 4 minute video for an Overview of Protective Orders in Oregon ».
  • Here’s information to prepare for a contested protective order ».
• Personal Safety Planning
  • Anti-Doxing Guide – including internet and social media safety
  • Pen America produced a Field Manual to Navigate Online Abuse ».
  • Safety tips for communities of faith »
  • The Center for Anti-Violence Education » works to prevent hate violence through educational programs that combine awareness raising, physical empowerment, leadership development and activism.
• Verbal De-escalation resources
  • Verbal de-escalation tips ».
  • The National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center has information on crisis counseling » and recovery resources ».
  • The Asian American Federation has information on verbal de-escalation, physical self defense, and bystander intervention in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Japanese.
  • Secure Community Network », a national non-profit focused on safety and security for the Jewish community, offers active threat training, introduction to situational awareness, Stop the Bleed (a national, standardized training program like CPR and First Aid), and classes on verbal de-escalation. All are welcome to these security trainings ».
• Self-Defense resources
  • Warrior Sisters offers self-defense trainings » that incorporate a mix of verbal, physical, and awareness skills intended to be accessible regardless of experience or level of fitness.
  • The Washington County Sheriff’s Office offers free women’s self-defense classes ».
  • Rose City Self-Defense offers free personal safety workshops ».
• Active Shooter resources
  • The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency » has information on personal safety and active shooter preparedness and response ».
  • Community Active Shooter Preparedness training video » by Portland Police Bureau.
    • Request an in-person Community Active Shooter Preparedness training » from PPB.
  • Department of Administrative Service’s Active Shooter Preparedness one-pager ».

I want to play an active role in making my community safer and better for everyone. What can I do now?

• Books
  • Lee & Low Books has an online library » where you can purchase books on anti-racism.
  • Author Jacqueline Woodson » has won multiple awards for her work on children’s literature on the topic of race, belonging and social justice.
  • Embrace Bend’s Do the Work Study Group » and Decolonize This Book Club »
• Videos and podcasts
  • The Cure for Hate » traces former neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier Tony McAleer’s journey of atonement to bear witness to the horrors of Auschwitz and the throughline to modern day violent extremism.
  • 26 Mini-Films for Exploring Race, Bias and Identity With Students » (NYT)
  • How microaggressions are like mosquito bites »
  • Why aren’t there more Black people in Oregon? A Hidden History » by Walidah Imarisha
  • Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth »
  • The Secret History of Muslims in the U.S. » (NYT)
•  Articles
  • A Guide to Gender Identity Terms » (NPR)
  • National Museum of African American History & Culture: Talking About Race »
• Additional Resources
  • Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide » from Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Race Talks »: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism
  • A timeline of Oregon and U.S. Racial, Immigration and Education History »
  • Land acknowledgments – a resource for how to develop a land acknowledgement », including a mapping of indigenous territories, languages, and treaties »
  • Have you heard of ACEs? The Adverse Childhood Experiences study » explored the impact of childhood trauma (neglect, abuse, and household challenges) on adult wellbeing, including a person’s health and lifespan. More recent research explores the Pair of ACEs », or the impact of the original 10 ACEs plus adverse community environments, such as discrimination and structural bias, on a person’s wellbeing, health and lifespan.
  • Disability Rights Oregon has Know Your Rights: Service Animals » information.
  • Racial Equity Tools »
  • Oregon Black Pioneers » – preserving the history of Black Oregonians.
  • Oregon Remembrance Project » – founded to help communities with truth and reconciliation projects about rectifying historical injustice.
  • Additional statewide resources for victims

Do you have any resource suggestions related to schools and young people?

• No Place for Hate » has extensive curriculum information designed to engage students and staff in dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, inclusion and allyship.
• ADL’s Anti-Bias Teaching & Learning Digital Kits »
• OJJDP’s Preventing Youth Hate Crimes & Identity-Based Bullying Fact Sheet »
• Talking to Children about Hate Crimes » from National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center
• Portland Public School’s resource guide Supporting Students & Families of Color Enduring Racism
• The Anti-Defamation League’s Books Matter™ Children’s & Young Adult Literature database » has over 800 children’s books (with discussion guides) about bias, diversity, social justice, etc., broken down by topic such as LGBTQIA+, Race, Immigration and by age range.

Do you know any resources to help people out of a life of hate?

• Life After Hate »
• Cure PDX 24/7 Helpline »

What are the Oregon bias crime and federal hate crime laws?

• ORS 147.380 » defines a Bias Incident under Oregon law.
• ORS 166.155 » defines misdemeanor Bias Crime in the Second Degree under Oregon law.
• ORS 166.165 » defines felony Bias Crime in the First Degree under Oregon law.
• ORS 163.191 » defines misdemeanor Intimidation by Display of a Noose under Oregon law.
• 18 U.S.C. § 245 » covers violent interference with federally-protected rights
• 18 U.S.C. § 249 », aka the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 and the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act of 2022, covers bias-motivated violence against a person (and attempts with a weapon)
• 18 U.S.C. § 247 » covers damage to religious property
• 42 U.S.C. § 3631 », the federal Fair Housing Act, covers violent interference with access to housing
• 18 U.S.C. § 875 » and 18 U.S.C. § 876 » covers threats via internet, text or mail; bias motivation is not required but may be a sentencing enhancement

You can always contact Oregon’s statewide Bias Response Hotline to talk about your options. We welcome your call or online report.

Disclaimer: The links and information provided in this toolkit are for information only, are not exhaustive, and do not constitute legal advice. For information about your rights and legal options, consult an attorney.  Not all content reflects the views of the Oregon Department of Justice.  Resources and trainings are not vetted or otherwise endorsed by ODOJ.

Request Bias Response Training for your Community

The Oregon DOJ Civil Rights Unit provides training for community groups on bias response (hate/bias crimes, bias incidents, supporting victims, and more). Please sign up below if you are interested.