Maryland's attorney general launches hate crime hotline

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland's attorney general is launching a hotline for reporting hate crimes.

Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement Thursday that there has been an increase over the last week in reports of hate crimes directed at racial and ethnic minorities, women, immigrants and the LGBT community. He says Maryland isn't immune and it's important to remember that laws prohibit such conduct and provide protections.

Frosh urges any victim of unlawful harassment or intimidation to first notify local law enforcement, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or local human rights agencies. He says the hotline was established to report these incidents and make referrals to local law enforcement for further investigation when appropriate. Student harassment or bullying should be reported directly to the school.

The hotline number is 1-866-481-8361.

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The Gayly - 11/17/2016 @ 12:47 p.m. CST.