In a time of fear, Washington’s hate hotline provides hope | Opinion

Fear has become far too common in communities across the country and here in Washington state. In 2023 alone, our state recorded 623 hate crimes, up 5% from the year before, according to the FBI. Behind these numbers are real people: a high school student in Seattle bullied with antisemitic slurs, LGBTQ+ clubgoers targeted with violence, and Latino immigrants harassed simply for existing.

The rise in hate crimes across Washington is undeniable. And these are just cases that meet the legal threshold – just a fraction of what communities actually endure. The broader spectrum of hate and bias – slurs shouted on the street, hateful notes slipped into mailboxes, swastikas scrawled on public property – often goes unreported, leaving victims unsupported and trends untracked.

That’s why Washington’s newly launched Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents Hotline is so urgently needed. After years of advocacy by civil rights organizations and community leaders, the state has kicked off a two-year pilot program in King, Clark, and Spokane counties with one goal: to make it easier for people to report hate and get the help they need.

This hotline is more than just a number to call, it is a pathway to healing and justice. Trained staff intake each report, assess the needs of the caller, and connect them with community organizations or state agencies that can provide support, including law enforcement if the caller desires. The hotline is available in the three pilot counties for anyone who wants to report a hate crime or bias incident by calling 1-855-225-1010 or visiting the website.

Importantly, this resource addresses bias and hate incidents that don’t always rise to the level of a crime but can still leave deep emotional and psychological scars. The hotline will also help Washington get a clearer picture of where and how hate is showing up through a public dashboard that anonymizes data and helps shape smarter public policy.

The hotline is a local effort, but one that can serve as a national model. Oregon launched a similar hotline in 2020 and saw a 229% increase in bias incident reporting. Washington has now joined the growing call for action across the country to take bias seriously and invest in real solutions.

Let’s be clear: the launch of this hotline is a hopeful moment. At a time when the national news often leaves us feeling helpless, Washington is offering a solution. It shows what can happen when state leaders and community advocates work together.

But this moment must be more than symbolic. For the hotline to work, Washingtonians need to know it exists. Communities need to spread the word. And lawmakers need to invest in its future. Giving it a simple, memorable phone number – like 988 for suicide prevention – could make a big difference. Creating an emergency aid fund for impacted small businesses or families could expand its reach. The hotline is a necessary start, but it will need to grow and evolve to expand its effectiveness.

Hate may not be going away anytime soon, but our response to it can and must get stronger. Washington has taken a critical first step. Now it’s on all of us to make it succeed.

Miri Cypers is the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League for the Pacific Northwest. Ilona Lohrey is the president and CEO of GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce.

This story was originally published August 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "In a time of fear, Washington’s hate hotline provides hope | Opinion."