Hate Crime and Bias Incidents

Report a hate or bias incident

Anyone who experienced or witnessed a hate and bias incident is encouraged to make a report to the Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity | The University of New Mexico (CEEO) in any of the following ways:

  • Submit a report using the online webform. and click the "Report Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct or Hate/Bias Incident" button.

  • Email ceeo@unm.edu

  • Call (505) 277-5251 

CEEO will assess the report and reach out to anyone impacted to offer supportive resources and information about rights and options. If the conduct alleged in the report would violate UNM policy, CEEO will discuss options for complaint resolution.

 

Report a hate crime

In an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or contact UNMPD if you are on campus.

To report a hate crime, please contact local law enforcement. At UNM, the local law enforcement agency is the University of New Mexico Police Department (UNMPD): 

  • Address: 1700 Mesa Vista Rd NE
  • Non-emergency: (505) 277-2241
  • Emergency: 911

The Lobo Respect and Advocacy Center provides more about the definition of a hate crime, how to spot hate crimes, information for victims, and reporting.  

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If you are the target of an incident or hate crime

We know that going through, or witnessing, a hate crime or hate-motivated act can be deeply distressing, and we want to encourage you to prioritize your own wellbeing. If you've been affected by a hate crime or hate/bias incident, here are some steps you might consider:

Get to Safety

  • If you are in danger get to a secure location like a public place, police station, or a trusted friend's home, to protect yourself from further harm. Also consider walking with others and staying in well-lit populated areas at night. 
  • Seek medical care if needed. Call 911 for emergencies. If you've experienced a physical attack, we encourage you to visit a hospital even if you feel fine, since a doctor may identify injuries that aren't immediately apparent.

Preserve evidence

  • Document what happened as soon as possible, this includes physical and digital evidence. Consider writing down details such as time, date, location, suspect descriptions, and what occured. 

Report the incident

  • You'll find reporting details on this page. If you're unsure where to begin that's completely okay, any office listed can help you figure out your next steps.

Take care of yourself

  • Reach out to a friend, family member, or someone you trust. Try journaling, turning to art or music, leaning on spiritual / religious practices, or care for your body through movement, rest, and nourishing food. This page also lists a number of supportive resources.
  • Remember this isn't your fault, and you did not deserve to be targeted.

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Supportive resources  

UNM's Mental Health Resources website. 

Student Health and Counceling (SHAC)

  • 505-277-3136, available 24 hours. Provides a range of health services, including mental health services and after hours crisis counseling. UNM Students Only.

Agora Crisis Center

  • 505-277-3013. Affiliated with UNM, Agora's trained volunteers are here to talk with you about whatever is on your mind. Many people call us when they are experiencing a crisis such as suicidal thoughts, grief, domestic violence, depression and many other serious issues. 

Arcoíris Center LGBTQ Resource Center

  • 505-277-LGBT (5428), available Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm. Provides services to UNM students, faculty, staff of all gender identities and sexual orientations through support, advocacy, education, and safety. 

Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) 

  • 505-884-SANE (7263), available 24 hours. 625 Silver SW. Provides free medical and forensic exams by trained nurses, emergency contraception, treatment for STIs, evidence collection, forensic photographs, and follow-up reports. SANE may be able to collect evidence up to 5 days after an assault.

UNM Police (UNMPD)

  • 505-277-2241. Will provide free transportation to SANE, even if you choose not to file a police report. UNM Police have specially-trained SMART officers who respond to sex crimes on campus.

Counseling, Assistance, and Referral Services (CARS)

  • 505-272-6868, 8am-5pm. 1800 Mesa Vista Rd NE. Assists UNM faculty, staff, retirees, and spouses/partners with a range of professional and personal concerns.

 

Community advocacy services

Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico

  • 505-266-7711, available 24 hours. 9741 Candelaria NE. Provides victim advocacy and free counseling. An advocate can meet you for a SANE exam and attend meetings or hearings with you.

ABQ Family Advocacy Center 

  • 505-243-2333. Provides advocacy and support for victims (and their family members) of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.

 

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Frequently asked questions

What is a hate crime?

  • A Hate Crime is a crime committed in whole or in part because of the victim's actual or perceived race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, disability, age, or religion.  
  • Under New Mexico state law, hate crimes are “motivated by hate,” meaning the commission of a crime with the intent to commit the crime because of the actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, handicapped status, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim, whether or not the offender’s belief or perception is correct. NMSA 1978, Section 31- 18B-1).
  • See the New Mexico DOJ website for additional statstics.

What is a hate or bias incident?

  • A hate/bias incident is an act of conduct, speech or expression to which a bias motive is evident as a contributing factor (regardless of whether the act is criminal). A hate crime is an incident that has risen to the level of a crime. All hate crimes are bias incidents but not all bias incidents are hate crimes.

What is hate speech and is it protected by the First Amendment?

  • Freedom of speech and expression are not without limits. University policies regarding the time, place, and manner of speech and of expression ensure that the University can carry on its ordinary activities. The University may also restrict speech or expression that breaks the law, violates University policies or codes of conduct, or is otherwise directly incompatible with the safety of the community or the functioning of the University.

    Freedom of speech is a hallmark of any public university. UNM is committed to the sharing of different ideas and points of view. At times, you’ll hear things you don’t agree with or that you find offensive. You have a choice. You can choose to engage. You can choose to debate. You can choose to walk away.

    Hateful speech has extremely damaging affects on individuals and communities. Everyone in the campus community is urged to uphold our campuses values by treating others with dignity and respect.

    Please visit UNM's Free Speech Education website for information and resources regarding free speech and upholding the campus Principles of Community.

Will the University take action?

  • UNM takes reports of discrimination and harassment, including hate or bias incidents, very seriously. The Office of Compliance, Ethics, and Equal Opportunity (CEEO) receives reports of harassment and discrimination, provides support to those harmed, and resolving matters either formally or informally. Please contact CEEO for more information. 

Are employees required to report hate/bias incidents?

  • UNM employees (except designated Confidential Resources) have obligations to report what you learn about incidents of violence, abuse, neglect, discrimination and harassment, or other conduct that could be a violation of the law and/or University policy.
  • If you are a Campus Security Authority (CSA), you are required under the Jeanne Clery Act to report alleged crimes using the online Campus Security Authority (CSA) form. You can find more information on the UNM Clery website. 
  • For more information about these reporting requirements, please refer to the Mandatory Reporting Toolkit.