* Report all the details of the crime. If you saw the assailant, report weight,
height, race, gender, build, clothes and other details.
* If an officer responds immediately, make sure she/he files an incident report.
In most cases a report must be filed in 24 hours to qualify for victim's compensation.
* If an incident report is not taken at the time you report the crime, go to your
local police or sheriff's station and file one. Always ask for a copy.
* If you want the crime to be reported as a hate/bias crime, you should tell the
officer to write it on the report. In many cases the charging and sentencing
guidelines are more strict against hate crime perpetrators.
* If you do not get your needs met, or if you believe law enforcement did not
respond to you appropriately, we will help remedy the situation or advocate on
your behalf.