Washington Hate & Bias Incident Hotline

Why it Matters

The FBI reported 576 hate crime incidents in Washington state in 2021 –up 28% from 451 in 2020 (ADL). In the state, anti-Black bias, antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+ bias and anti-AAPI bias are the most common grounds for discrimination (Seattle Times). However, the reported level of hate may not encapsulate the full scale of hate and bias incidents due to consistent underreporting (KOMO News).

Many barriers lower the likelihood that victims will report to law enforcement. Members of marginalized groups sometimes distrust law enforcement. In addition, victims of hate crimes may not report because they believe conviction is unlikely or because the incident does not reach the threshold of a hate crime.  This limits their access to existing support networks and limits the tracking of hate and bias immensely, despite the deep impact these incidents can have on victims and communities.

What it Does

A Hotline staffed by non-law enforcement personnel will generate more trust between members of historically marginalized communities and state social services. If victims of bias incidents receive meaningful support or compensation through the program, it could also bolster faith in government.

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A Bias Response Hotline incorporating uniform bias response and holistic victim support services could increase data tracking, bolster the utilization of existing resources, and encourage reporting to law enforcement.

Demonstrated Success

As seen in Oregon, creating a uniform body to coordinate bias tracking increases reporting. As of November 2022, the Oregon Bias Response Hotline reported a monthly average of 222 incidents (OR DOJ). 

In the program’s inaugural year, Oregon saw a significant increase in bias incident reporting, documenting a 59% increase in reports (OPB). In 2021 alone, the hotline received 1,683 total reports, with a monthly average of 140.3 (OR DOJ). Most of the incidents reported were bias incidents that did not meet the threshold of hate crime, meaning that they would likely go uncaptured through conventional tracking.