{ "componentChunkName": "component---src-templates-post-type-articles-js", "path": "/for-individuals/vilification/", "result": {"data":{"wpgraphql":{"page":{"title":"Anti-hate laws – hate speech and hateful behaviour","uri":"for-individuals/vilification/","databaseId":767,"acfPageHeader":{"layout":"standard","title":null,"introduction":"

Everyone should feel safe and welcome in our State. 

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Unfortunately, many people are subjected to hate speech and hateful behaviour (referred to as ‘vilification’ under the law) based on their disability, gender identity, race, religious belief or activity, sex, sex characteristics or sexual orientation. Many people also experience hate speech online.  

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No one should be subjected to hatred because of who they are. In Victoria, the law protects us from this kind of harmful treatment. 

\n","seoTitle":"Anti-hate laws - hate speech and hateful behaviour","seoDescription":"Everyone should feel safe and welcome in our State. Unfortunately, many people are subjected to hate speech and hateful behaviour (referred to as ‘vilification’ under the law) based on their disability, gender identity, race, religious belief or activity, sex, sex characteristics or sexual orientation. Many people also experience hate speech online. \r\n\r\nNo one should be subjected to hatred because of who they are. In Victoria, the law protects us from this kind of harmful treatment. ","seoImage":null,"image":{"altText":"A young African Australian woman smiles at the camera","caption":null,"sourceRemote":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.jpg","sourceLocal":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"fullWidth","backgroundColor":"#181818","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e0dc1646881fe6333da5245171ed3f39/957be/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e0dc1646881fe6333da5245171ed3f39/3c93e/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.jpg 750w,\n/static/e0dc1646881fe6333da5245171ed3f39/957be/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.jpg 900w","sizes":"100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e0dc1646881fe6333da5245171ed3f39/60754/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.webp 750w,\n/static/e0dc1646881fe6333da5245171ed3f39/c6d22/IMG-Behaviours-Racial_and_religious_vilification.webp 900w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"100vw"}]},"width":1,"height":0.9533333333333334}}}},"buttonLink":null,"buttonColour":"default"},"appBreadcrumb":[{"title":"Home","link":"/"}],"acfTableOfContents":{"tableOfContents":true},"acfBodyContent":{"bodyContent":[{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfbodycontent_BodyContent_Wysiwyg","contentHeading":"Watch our video explainer about the law ","content":"

This 3-minute video explains that in Victoria the law bans hate speech and behaviour against people with protected personal characteristics. 

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The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 protects you from vilification, more commonly known as hate speech or hateful behaviour, because of your disability, gender identity, race, religious belief, sex, sex characteristics and sexual orientation, or personal association with someone who has one of these protected characteristics. 

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Before 15 April 2026, the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 only protected people from vilification based on race and religious belief and only covered incitement (explained below).  

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If you experience vilification on or after 15 April 2026, because of any of the above attributes, you can make a complaint of vilification. If you experienced vilification before 15 April 2026 you can make a complaint of racial or religious vilification under the old law. 

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Vilification includes behaviour that is hateful or seriously contemptuous of, or reviling or severe ridiculing another person or group of persons related to their protected characteristic.  

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From 15 April 2026 in Victoria, vilification can be:  

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  1. encouraging hatred in others (incitement) – behaviour likely to incite hatred in others because of a person or group’s protected attribute.  
    2. \n
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  1. hate speech or hateful behaviour that a reasonable person from the target group is likely to consider to be hateful. The basis for the hateful behaviour must be because of a person’s protected attributes.  
    2. \n
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For either type of vilification, the behaviour must be public, whether online, in person, verbal or written.  

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Whether behaviour will be vilification will depend on the circumstances. 

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Examples of behaviour that may be vilification include: 

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It is also against the law to give permission or help someone to vilify others. 

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Examples of behaviour that are unlikely to be vilification include:  

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If behaviour is not vilification it could still be the basis for a complaint of discrimination if it takes place in one of the areas of public life covered by the Equal Opportunity Act. 

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For example, Ranjit complains that a local bus driver asked him where he was from, told him to sit at the back of the bus and sniffed loudly at him as he walked past. The encounter was not overheard or seen by anyone else as no one else was on the bus.  This is not vilification as vilification protections only apply to public conduct. But Ranjit might be able to make a complaint about racial discrimination. 

\n","status":null}]},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfbodycontent_BodyContent_Wysiwyg","contentHeading":"How does the law protect me?","content":"

It is against the law to vilify a person or group of people because of their disability, gender identity, race, religious belief, sex, sex characteristics and sexual orientation or personal association with someone who has one of these characteristics. 

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The Commission can help resolve complaints of vilification. 

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It is also against the law to victimise a person, which means treat them badly or unfairly, because they have made a complaint about discrimination, sexual harassment or vilification, or have helped someone else to make a complaint. 

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Vilification does not include private behaviour. However, depending on the circumstances, some private conduct may be considered public even if it occurs on private property or land, or at a place that is not open to the general public. For example, conduct might be considered public if it occurs at a school or workplace. Conversations may be vilification if they can be heard by the people around them. Private acts that take place within public view may also be vilification. For example, flying an offensive flag in your private front garden that is still visible to the public, may be vilification.           

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Some public behaviour may not be seen as vilification if it is reasonable and done in good faith. This includes 

\n\n\n\n"},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfbodycontent_BodyContent_Wysiwyg","contentHeading":"What can I do if I’m vilified?","content":"

You can make a complaint 

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Get help from us. 

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You can make a complaint to us if you think you have experienced: 

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If you wish, someone else can make a complaint for you. Find out how we help people resolve complaints. 

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Enquiry line  

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We can also give you information about your rights. You can contact us through our Enquiry Line.

\n"},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfbodycontent_BodyContent_Wysiwyg","contentHeading":"Can vilification be a crime? ","content":"

Serious cases of hate speech and hateful behaviour can be a crime and can be reported to Victoria Police.  

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From 20 September 2025, vilification offences have been included in the Crimes Act 1958. These two offences are: 

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1. an incitement offence 

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2. a threat offence 

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Inciting hatred means: 

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Threatening physical harm means: 

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A single event can be vilification, or vilification can be multiple actions over time. 

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Victoria Police can arrest and charge someone if their conduct appears to be a crime and will consider the facts and circumstances of each case to determine whether to prosecute an offence. 

\n","status":null},{"heading":"If you wish to report a crime, you can contact your local police station or call  Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000","content":"

The Commission cannot assist with criminal offences, but we can refer you to Victoria Police with your consent, if you think you may have experienced a crime. We can also recommend referrals for support.  

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You can call us on 1300 292 153 to speak with our trained staff.    

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Anti-vilification and anti-hate laws have been strengthened in Victoria. The reforms aim to ensure equal participation in public life by addressing the profound harm that hate causes when it targets people for parts of their identity. Everyone should live with dignity and feel safe in our state. 

\n"}},{"uri":"resources/shareable-digital-resources-explaining-victorias-new-anti-hate-laws/","title":"Promotions kit – explaining Victoria’s new anti-hate laws ","link":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/shareable-digital-resources-explaining-victorias-new-anti-hate-laws/","acfPageHeader":{"title":null,"introduction":null}}]},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfrichcontent_RichContent_BannerFullWidth","sectionHeading":null,"title":"Vilification anti-hate rights","introduction":"Explore the information and resources about Victoria’s anti-hate laws. These explain how they protect people from harm and how we can all help build safer and more inclusive communities.","link":{"title":"Vilification anti-hate rights","url":"https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/hub/vilification-anti-hate-rights/"},"themeColor":"Red","image":{"altText":"","sourceRemote":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.png","sourceLocal":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#88c8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/4e4ec/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.png","srcSet":"/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/8152d/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.png 225w,\n/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/243fe/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.png 450w,\n/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/4e4ec/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.png 900w","sizes":"(min-width: 900px) 900px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/d6142/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.webp 225w,\n/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/94136/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.webp 450w,\n/static/6716b96b0c8a0d165050edb5abb89a08/5ce5a/Vilification-anti-hate-laws-group-park-scene.webp 900w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 900px) 900px, 100vw"}]},"width":900,"height":600}}}}},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfrichcontent_RichContent_BannerFullWidthGroup","image":{"altText":"Two people looking to camera, one wears a tshirt with an Aboriginal flag on it","sourceRemote":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpeg","sourceLocal":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#d8d8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/f65f8/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/a23b2/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpg 225w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/190b1/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpg 450w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/f65f8/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpg 900w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/b7559/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.jpg 1800w","sizes":"(min-width: 900px) 900px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/d6142/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.webp 225w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/94136/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.webp 450w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/5ce5a/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.webp 900w,\n/static/f1e471d20dc9be2aebb06ab820973e1a/b605b/BYM01012-scaled-e1698710217862.webp 1800w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 900px) 900px, 100vw"}]},"width":900,"height":600}}}},"banners":[{"themeColor":"Blue","title":"First Nations rights","introduction":"It is against the law to treat you unfairly or bully you because you are First Nations. ","link":{"title":"First Nations peoples rights","url":"https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/hub/aboriginal-rights/"}},{"themeColor":"Green","title":"Racism resources for multicultural and multifaith audiences","introduction":"We have information and resources to help you learn more about your rights relating to racism and discrimination. ","link":{"title":"Reducing racism hub","url":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/education/reducing-racism-hub/"}},{"themeColor":"Yellow","title":"Our services for First Nations people","introduction":"This page includes information on how we can support you in speaking up, stories from other First Nations people and other services available.","link":{"title":"Our services for First Nations peoples","url":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/tailored-services/"}}]},{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_Article_Acfrichcontent_RichContent_RelatedResources","sectionHeading":"Related resources","resources":[{"uri":"resources/close-up-videos/","title":"‘Close up’ videos – Jul 2019","link":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/close-up-videos/","acfPageHeader":{"title":null,"introduction":"

The ‘Close Up’ videos are the personal stories of Titan, Barry and Mawa – three young African Victorians, two of whom are Muslim. They each describe their experiences of racism, the impact these have had on them and their vision for a more inclusive Australia. These videos are part of our Reducing Racism project.

\n"}},{"uri":"resources/theres-no-place-for-racism-in-victoria/","title":"There’s no place for racism in Victoria – resource centre","link":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/theres-no-place-for-racism-in-victoria/","acfPageHeader":{"title":null,"introduction":"

Regardless of where you’re from, what you look like, what you believe or what language you speak, no one should have to endure racism in the place they call home. Thanks for your support to help combat racism in Victoria. Here are some links and resources to help you connect your community members with information and support. You can download our resources at the bottom of this page.

\n"}}]}]}}}},"pageContext":{"id":"YXJ0aWNsZTo3Njc=","title":"Anti-hate laws – hate speech and hateful behaviour","link":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/vilification/"}}, "staticQueryHashes": ["1001322823","130765067","1964591631","3000541721","3854666041"]}