# Attacks and threats because of hatred

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/hate-incidents/

Where to report attacks, threats, slurs or being refused work, housing or service because of sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, religion or status, and what help victims can get.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

A hate crime is defined in section 485.05 of the New York State Penal Law. A bias incident is an act done wholly or mainly because of race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, ancestry, national origin or sexual orientation (including transgender people). If there is no crime, such as slurs without threats, the City's human rights commission handles it.

Immigration status does not stop you reporting a crime or getting help.

This is general information, not legal advice; QARAVAN has no lawyers.

## Start here

- If an attack or threat is happening now, call [911](tel:911). If it is over or there was no violence, go to your local NYPD precinct.
- Immigration status does not stop you reporting a hate crime, and New York City does not ask about it.
- If there was no crime but you face slurs or were refused work, housing or service, file a complaint with the City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), usually within a year.

## Where to report

Where to turn after an attack, threats or discrimination

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## What to do after an attack or threats

1. Get to safety Get to a safe place. If the danger isn't over, call [911](tel:911), say “Russian” and wait for the interpreter.
2. Report to the police In an emergency call [911](tel:911); if the attack is over or wasn't violent, go to the nearest NYPD precinct. Officers will help and take a report; if bias may be involved, they notify the Hate Crime Task Force.
3. Write down what happened Time, place, what the attacker said, names and contacts of witnesses; photos of injuries and damage; messages and links if the threats were online.
4. Talk to a victim advocate Every NYPD precinct has Safe Horizon advocates from the City's Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP). No police report needed; help is free, confidential and in several languages: counseling, safety planning, compensation and benefit claims, advocacy with landlords, employers, schools and creditors.
5. Apply for compensation The State Office of Victim Services (OVS) can cover crime-related costs. Apply online through OVS Compass at [ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation](https://ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation), as a guest if you like. Usually any victim of a crime who was physically injured qualifies, and for hate crimes and many domestic violence crimes, even without injury. Conditions: report to police or another criminal justice agency within a week, apply within a year, explain any delay, and cooperate with law enforcement and OVS. OVS pays last, after insurance and workers' compensation. A paper application is available in Russian and can be mailed. You don't need a Social Security number to qualify.
6. If you are LGBTQ+ or live with HIV The NYC Anti-Violence Project (AVP) takes reports of violence on its hotline in English and Spanish (Mon–Thu 10 am–6 pm, Fri 10 am–2 pm Eastern time; leave a message at other times) and offers counseling and legal advice. The online form is not working now.
7. If you are struggling Call or text [988](tel:988) (NYC [988](tel:988): free, 24/7, interpreters in 200+ languages; on a call, say “Russian”).

## Discrimination and insults without a crime: the City Commission on Human Rights

1. Check whether it may be discrimination Being refused work, housing or service, or threatened, because of status, origin, sexual orientation or gender identity may violate the NYC Human Rights Law. It covers hiring and work, housing, public places and services, and discriminatory harassment. CCHR takes these complaints for free.
2. Report to the commission Fill in the online form on the commission’s website: [nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page](https://nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page).
3. Remember the deadlines File within one year; for sex- or gender-based harassment, within three years.
4. File a real complaint The website form is not a complaint. A complaint to the commission's Law Enforcement Bureau must be signed, notarized and mailed or delivered in person: only that stops the clock.
5. Don’t wait for a reply to the form If you are not sure whether your report counts as a complaint, check with the commission, but file the notarized complaint without waiting for an answer.

- NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) Any status Free The City commission handles bias that falls short of a crime: discriminatory harassment (such as slurs without threats of violence) and discrimination in housing and employment. Status, origin, gender identity and sexual orientation are protected. Free. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page)

## The police, prosecutors and other agencies

- NYPD Hate Crime Task Force Any status The NYPD unit that investigates hate crimes citywide. Report through [911](tel:911) or at a precinct. Victims aren't asked about immigration status, and personal details such as sexual orientation are not shared without consent. The guide “How to Report Hate Crime” is available in Russian. [911](tel:911) [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/hate-crimes.page)
- NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) Any status The City office on how to report a hate crime and where to get help. Its victim guide is in Russian. Report a crime through [911](tel:911) (say “Russian”) or at an NYPD precinct. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/file-a-report/file-a-report.page)
- Civil Rights Bureau, New York State Attorney General’s Office Any status Enforces laws against discrimination by race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, source of income and disability. Victims of hate crimes and bias incidents can file online ([ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights](https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights), under “Discrimination or violation of rights”) or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)
- New York State Hate Crimes Task Force Any status A State Police unit working with the Division of Human Rights and the Division of Criminal Justice Services. If you faced bias threats, harassment or discrimination, report through the Division of Human Rights online form: [forms.ny.gov/s3/DHR-Bias-Incident-Form](https://forms.ny.gov/s3/DHR-Bias-Incident-Form). You can report anonymously. [dhr.ny.gov](https://dhr.ny.gov/node/7806)
- New York State Division of Human Rights Any status The State agency investigates discrimination complaints in housing, employment, credit and some public places on protected grounds, including age, race, sex, sexual orientation and disability. You can file [on its website](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page). [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)
- FBI, Victim Services Division Any status The FBI also investigates crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or gender. Report at [tips.fbi.gov](https://tips.fbi.gov) or to a local field office. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)

## Help for victims

- Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) Any status Free Safe Horizon advocates in NYPD precincts support victims and their families after any crime or violence. No police report needed; free, confidential, in several languages: counseling and long-term support, safety planning, compensation and benefit claims, advocacy with landlords, employers, schools and creditors. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)
- New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) Any status Helps victims of crime, hate crimes included. Compensation covers medical care and counseling (no cap) and, within limits: up to $2,500 for essential personal property, $2,500 for relocation, $2,500 for crime scene cleanup, $12,000 for funerals and $30,000 for lost wages or support. Apply online through [OVS Compass](https://ovscompass.ovs.ny.gov/ovs/applicant/signIn) on the OVS website. The OVS fund also supports more than 200 victim programs. The same conditions apply: report within a week, apply within a year, explain any delay, cooperate with law enforcement and OVS; OVS pays after insurance and workers' compensation. “Know Your Rights” materials are in Russian. [ovs.ny.gov](https://ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation) 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn (Brooklyn office)
- NYC Anti-Violence Project (AVP) Any status Free Helps LGBTQ+ people and people affected by HIV who survived hate violence or any other violence. For Russian, first write to the HOPE chat: [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat). The AVP hotline is in English and Spanish; after hours leave a message and they call back within two business days. The online form is not working now. [212-714-1141](tel:2127141141) (hotline in English and Spanish) [avp.org](https://avp.org/get-help/report-violence/) 55 Exchange Place, Suite 404, New York, NY 10005 (walk-in Tue–Wed 12–4 pm, may be canceled) Mon–Thu 10 am–6 pm, Fri 10 am–2 pm Eastern time
- Unity Project Under 25 A City program supporting LGBTQ+ young people: its website collects resources on peer and professional support, family support, school and education, health, housing, employment and healthy relationships. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)
- MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers NYC residents Free The City's free immigration legal help centers: consultations and representation at community organizations across New York City. Household income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The City's MOIA line [(800-354-0365](tel:8003540365), Russian available) tells you which center near you speaks your language; the line doesn't book appointments itself. [800-354-0365](tel:8003540365) [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page)

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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[All pages: Safety and your rights](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page)
- [avp.org/get-help](https://avp.org/get-help/)
- [nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page)
- [nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/hate-crimes.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/hate-crimes.page)
- [nyc.gov/site/stophate/file-a-report/file-a-report.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/file-a-report/file-a-report.page)
- [nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page)
- [ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation](https://ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation)
- [avp.org/get-help/report-violence](https://avp.org/get-help/report-violence/)
- [on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat](https://on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat)
- [dhr.ny.gov/node/7806](https://dhr.ny.gov/node/7806)
- [ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights](https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights)
- [ag.ny.gov/file-complaint](https://ag.ny.gov/file-complaint)
- [ovscompass.ovs.ny.gov/ovs/applicant/signIn](https://ovscompass.ovs.ny.gov/ovs/applicant/signIn)