Find out about the abuse faced by many people with a visible difference – and explore how you can get involved in our Visible Hate campaign.
No one should experience abuse or discrimination because of how they look. Yet according to our most recent research, a third of people with a visible difference or disfigurement have experienced a hate crime.
The research also found that half of those with a visible difference reported that they experienced hostile behaviours, like stares and bullying. This increase has been steadily rising since 2019 when a third of people reported these experiences.
Through our Visible Hate campaign, we speak out to call for an end to appearance-related hate crimes, incidents and abuse.
On this page, we discuss the abuse faced by many people with a visible difference. We explain what hate crimes and hate incidents are, and how to report them, plus how you can get involved in our campaign to help put an end to Visible Hate.
Millions of people have watched our campaign film, raising awareness of appearance-related hate crime and abuse:
Our latest independent research revealed that:
Having a disfigurement means never having a day off. I don’t get to take my scars off and forget about them. Every day when I leave my house I need to check in with myself to see how I’m going to handle the stares or comments.
Our latest campaign activity raises awareness about what hate crimes, incidents and appearance-related abuse are and how to report it.
Our ambassador, Adam Pearson, filmed this message to reassure anyone with a visible difference that hate isn’t something that you should just have to put up with.
We know we can’t tackle visible hate on our own, so we’re encouraging more people to join us and challenge or report unacceptable behaviour if they witness it. Our campaigners and ambassadors are taking action too. They are writing to Police and Crime Commissioners in their areas, calling on them for their support and for them to encourage their local forces to ensure people with a visible difference in their area feel confident to report any hate crimes or incidents they experience.
“As well as hate being directed at me, there have been numerous occasions where this prejudice has spread to the way people treat my partner and daughter too.
“My partner even got physically abused by one overzealous “good Samaritan” who thought my appearance was due to him hitting me. I was shouting at him to stop and trying to explain that I have facial paralysis. I wish he’d just spoken to me first.” Catherine.
Have you, or someone you know, experienced abuse or harassment because of a visible difference? You don’t have to deal with these experiences alone.
You can read about what a hate crime is, the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident, how to report it and where to get support, if you or someone you know experiences appearance-related hate.
When we respond to consultations or talk to MPs or authorities like the police, we share examples of hate crimes that people have experienced and their impact. Do you have an experience you can share with us? It can be anonymous.
If you witness a hate crime, hate incident or hostile behaviour in person or online, if it’s safe to do so, you can report what you see or hear. Find out more about how to report hate incidents and hate crimes.
One way to end visible hate is to introduce children to the idea of difference from an early age. Our list of resources can be used by parents and carers to explore visible difference with children.
Have you, or someone you know, experienced abuse or harassment because of a visible difference? You don’t have to deal with these experiences alone. There are specialist services that can offer support.
We also offer confidential practical, emotional and wellbeing support to people with a visible difference via our Support and Information Line.
Words hurt. Comments aren’t forgotten. Even though I wish I could forget them, they will stay with me forever, no matter how hard I try to leave them in the past.
Adam, Tulsi and Phil reflect on what it was like to take part in our Visible Hate campaign film launched in January 2020.
If you have a visible difference, you may experience abuse, harassment and even hate crimes. We explain when and how to report this to the police.