Maryland now has a new online portal to report hate crimes and hate bias incidents.
Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Tuesday that nohomeforhate.md,gov is one place to report, but victims should first call 9-1-1.
“For too long, hate crimes have been underreported and underestimated, but victims don’t have to suffer in silence. I am listening. This new portal is a safe place to speak up. It will help us all understand how widespread these incidents are, so we can better address them,” Brown said.
“Tackling hate crimes and making our state safer for everyone, whether you live here or are just visiting, is one of my top priorities. There is no home for hate in Maryland.”
Incidents of hate in Maryland are increasing. According to the attorney general’s office, there were 465 hate crimes and hate bias incidents reported is 2022 and 388 reports in 2021, which was more than double the 155 reports in 2014.
Information submitted on the new reporting form will be used to track hate crimes and hate bias incidents, identify trends in these incidents and inform help the Office of the Attorney General and the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention to develop recommendations for improving Maryland’s response to hate crimes and bias incidents.
The online portal was developed with the support of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). That office worked with the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT).
“DoIT is proud to assist the Attorney General’s Office to provide Marylanders with a portal that will act as a resource for information and give Marylanders the ability to share vital input with government agencies regarding hate crimes in Maryland,” said Katie Savage, DoIT Secretary of Information Technology.
The form is available in 11 languages and includes resources for victims.
Victims also may call the Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-866-481-8361.
