Racial vilification
The NSW Law Reform Commission has been asked to review and report on the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Anti-Discrimination NSW supports amending the grounds in the Act to include protection based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex (or innate variations of sex characteristics).
Learn more about the Law Reform Commission’s process at lawreform.nsw.gov.au.
What is racial vilification?
Racial vilification is against the law. It is a public act that could incite hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule towards people of a particular race.
Public acts include:
- communications that can be seen or heard by the public (this includes print, radio, video or online)
- signs, flags or clothing that could be seen by the public
- distributing and sharing information to the public.
What can I do if I experience racial vilification?
If you feel you have been vilified, you can contact us to make a complaint.
If you are unsure if you have experienced racial vilification or need more information, you can contact our enquiry service.
Public acts that threaten or incite violence
Any public act that threatens or incites violence towards a person or group of persons on the basis of their race, religious belief or affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or HIV/AIDS status is a criminal offence that should be referred to the police.
Complaint case studies
Last updated:
12 Jul 2024
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the ongoing connection Aboriginal people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of this land.