Oregon Dept. of Emerg. Management – 11/01/24 4:51 PM
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to supporting safety, and preparedness during election periods and beyond. OEM emphasizes the importance of addressing hate speech and bias crimes that impact our communities.
Understanding Hate Crimes:
A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated in part or whole by bias against another person’s actual or perceived protected class—including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of hate crimes include:
- Racist or discriminatory graffiti.
- Theft or destruction of symbols such as Pride flags.
- Threats involving slurs or derogatory language.
- Physical assault based on someone’s identity.
Reporting Hate Crimes:
If you or someone you know experiences a hate crime, it is crucial to report the incident. Oregon residents have access to the following reporting resources:
Non-Emergency Bias Response Hotline
Phone: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427)
Available: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Details: Trauma-informed operators are ready to assist. Interpretation services are available in over 240 languages. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and someone will return your call.
Online Reporting:
Bias crimes and incidents can also be reported via the Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Crime Reporting website.
Support:
An important resource for Oregonians is the Voter Protection Hotline, managed by the Oregon Department of Justice. This hotline, launched earlier this month, will remain active until after the election to assist voters with non-emergency questions and concerns about the voting process. The hotline number is 971-673-4111, and messages are reviewed regularly, with calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday following the weekend. Voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any types of voter intimidation, at a voter drop box or elsewhere.
Trauma-informed support is key when dealing with hate crimes. Being “trauma-informed” means understanding how trauma affects people. It means knowing how trauma can change a person’s feelings, actions and overall well-being. Being trauma-informed means, we create a safe and supportive space to help people heal without making things worse. It’s about showing empathy, knowing what the survivor needs, and giving the right care and support.
To learn more about staying informed and reporting bias incidents during the election, please visit the Secretary of State’s and the Department of Justice’s websites.
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It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.
You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licinfo@oem.oregon.gov“>OEM_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov or dial 711.
