Californians Turn to Anti-Hate Hotline: Nearly 1,000 Reports of Hate Filed in 2025

Hotline has responded to more than 6,800 requests for help, including non-hate acts, since launching in May 2023

SACRAMENTO – The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today released new data showing that CA vs Hate received nearly 1,000 reports of hate from across 46 counties in 2025. Californians continue to turn to the hotline for help after experiencing hate and the hotline has responded to more than 6,800 requests for help, including contacts for non-hate acts, since launching in May 2023.

“Everyone deserves support after experiencing hate,” said Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “Through CA vs Hate, Californians have a trusted place they can turn to, and thousands of people have already reached out. From mental health counseling to legal assistance, the hotline is a nation-leading example of how we can drive real impact when we work together with our local partners.”

“The data is clear: Californians want support after experiencing hate,” said CRD Director Kevin Kish.“Through CA vs Hate, we’re working directly with community partners all across California to help bridge the gap between services and the people who need them. No matter the language you speak or where you come from, you can call 833-8-NO-HATE and get confidential support. Join us in the fight against hate. Use your voice to stand up for yourself and your community.”

What Is CA vs Hate?
CA vs Hate is a statewide, non-emergency hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal to help counter a more than 50% increase in reported hate crimes in California between 2020 and 2024. Run by CRD and 211 in partnership with community-based organizations, the program offers confidential, anonymous reporting that is separate from law enforcement and grounded in a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach. Reports can be made online at any time or by phone Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM PT at (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE. The portal is available in 15 languages, and callers can access support in more than 200 languages. Individuals in immediate danger should call 911.

While reported hate crimes continue to rise, many incidents go unreported due to language barriers, fear of retaliation, distrust of law enforcement, or because they are non-criminal in nature. CA vs Hate provides a safe and accessible place for people to turn. Unlike traditional reporting systems that typically focus only on criminal conduct, CA vs Hate can also provide support to people who experience non-criminal hate incidents. The program helps connect people to a range of services such as legal support, counseling, financial assistance, mediation, and other community-based resources — and participation is separate from law enforcement.

What Was Reported in 2025?

In 2025, CA vs Hate continued to see ongoing demand for support available through the hotline and resource network. Although reports to CA vs Hate provide valuable insight, they do not represent all hate incidents that have happened in California. The data is based on self-reported experiences from individuals affected by hate who have reached out to the hotline. Key findings from 2025 include:

• 992 reports of hate made to the hotline, including reports made online and over the phone.
• Of those reports, roughly 7 out of 10 agreed to follow up for services, including legal aid or counseling.
• Reports were made from 46 counties, including all 10 of the state’s most populous.
• Racial or ethnicity bias was mentioned in 47% of reports, followed by gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation (19%), religion (18%), and disability status (9%).
• Some of the most reported locations were residential (36%), public facilities or businesses (16%), and at work (9%).
• Some of the most reported incident types were verbal harassment (68%), discriminatory treatment (48%), and intimidation or threats of violence (40%).

California’s Broader Efforts to Address Hate

California continues to advance a range of efforts to respond to and prevent hate. From cracking down on hate littering to taking steps to prevent gun-related hate crimes, California is all in when it comes to strengthening state laws aimed at protecting people from hate and discrimination. For instance, last year, Governor Newsom signed legislation to help ensure any threats made against schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and medical facilities can be prosecuted. The new law built on past efforts such as legislation to ensure law enforcement in California adopt hate crimes policies and strengthen penalties for the use of hate symbols.

With nearly $100 million in grants directly to community organizations providing services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families to over $225 million in state funding to support physical security measures for roughly 1,200 faith communities and nonprofits, California has also taken important steps to protect communities against hate-motivated violence and to ensure people have a place to go in the aftermath of hate. The state also continues to support the work of the California Commission on the State of Hate to track trends in hate and inform policy. Earlier this year, the Commission released its third annual report with new interim policy recommendations to strengthen existing state efforts to combat hate.

You can learn more about the data in the 2025 CA vs Hate infographic.

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The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. CRD’s mission is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state-funded programs and activities, and from hate violence and human trafficking. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov.

View Press Release (PDF) Californians Turn to Anti-Hate Hotline: Nearly 1,000 Reports of Hate Filed in 2025