Hate crime can range from name-calling, to day-to-day harassment, violence and in extreme cases, murder. Victims often have a visible or other distinguishing characteristic which acts as a marker of their difference and may single them out for abuse. This can include ‘looking gay’ or being seen coming out of a gay venue, having a dedicated accessible parking bay or using a wheelchair.
Hate crime represents an antipathy towards particular social groups whereby perpetrators believe that they can, and should be able to, get away with their crimes.
They may believe the victim deserves to be attacked because they are different, that they are ‘fair game’. In some cases, the perpetrator feels they are ‘helping’ society. They feel superior by making their victim feel inferior.
No matter what the offence or how big or small there is a detrimental impact on society, creating divisions and tension.
How to define Hate Crime
What Is It?
A hate incident can be physical, verbal or written including:
- Violence or threats of violence against another person
- Touching or assaulting that person
- Verbal abuse, offensive language, name-calling and so-called ‘jokes’
- Offensive and obscene gestures
- Theft or burglary
- Destroying or damaging another person’s property
- Offensive graffiti
- Hate mail, including letters or emails
- Harassment, bullying & victimisation
- Being refused service in a bank, shop, restaurant or public service
Using an individual’s perception of the incident will ensure that stats are gathered on a uniform basis. This perception will be determined by the victim or witness. It will be their view of an incident and their belief that the incident occurred because of hatred or prejudice and was motivated by one of the considerations as listed above.
Any incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be due to a person’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, political opinion or disability.
Aims & Objectives
Initially, the aims of the Hands Off My Friend campaign was to address the issue of the under reporting of hate crime in District G, which comprises of the Derry, Limavady, Magherafelt and Strabane Council areas. In 2010/2011, the campaign grew, branching out to cover District H: Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle.
Whilst it may seem counter-intuitive for police and partners to seek to increase the volume of hate crime reported it is a clear indication of the concern and serious attention this issue deserves that resources are being directed to it. The police in particular are intelligence led and rely on reporting of crime to allow effective deployment of officers. At present all partners feel that hate crime is chronically under reported for a number of reasons: lack of confidence in police, fear of becoming involved, going to court, fear of reprisal and cultural or language barriers.
The project will help policy makers and relevant agencies to gain a better understanding of the nature and extent of hate crime and incidents and so inform the development of policies and initiatives to tackle hate incidents. It will give agencies representing victims the opportunity to report a hate incident in an anonymous and confidential manner without involving police.
It will improve confidence and satisfaction amongst victims and witnesses of hate crime that their experience is being treated seriously and that action will be taken.
Is It Needed?
Background Evidence
There is evidence to suggest that hate crime is under reported.
The 2007 Criminal Justice Inspection of hate crime in Northern Ireland reported that due to victims unwillingness to come forward there is
"anecdotal evidence to indicate that despite good efforts to encourage it, there is still a significant level of under-reporting"
The report noted the
"fundamental need…for a more consistent, integrated and systematic approach to reporting, recording, investigating and prosecution of hate crime"
The British Gay Crime Survey 2008 reported that
"Three in four victims of homophobic hate crimes and incidents did not report them to the police, in comparison to three out of five of all crimes which were reported, according to the 2006/07 British Crime Survey"
This project will venture to address these concerns, enhance reporting and minimise the under-reporting.
