Hate crime is a pervasive issue that continues to affect countless individuals across the world. Despite concerted efforts by law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and community groups to address and reduce such crimes, hate crime often goes unreported. Saturday 12 October 2024 marked the beginning of Hate Crime Awareness Week, an annual initiative aimed at encouraging the active participation of affected communities, police forces, and other key partners in addressing and preventing hate crime.
Hate crime is defined as any criminal offence that is perceived by the victim or another individual to be motivated by hostility or prejudice. This hostility can be based on a person’s race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, or their transgender identity. Such crimes have profound social and psychological effects, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and division within communities. However, despite the gravity of the issue, a significant number of hate crimes remain unreported.
Several reasons contribute to this phenomenon, ranging from societal attitudes, fear of retribution, mistrust in the justice system, a lack of awareness, and the complex psychological impact of the crimes themselves. These factors combine to create an environment in which many victims feel powerless or disincentivised to report hate crimes, further entrenching the problem within communities.
Fear of Retaliation and Escalation
One of the primary reasons hate crime goes unreported is the fear of retaliation. Victims of hate crime, especially those living in smaller or more insular communities, may worry that reporting an incident will draw unwanted attention, making them the target of further harassment or violence. The fear of escalating hostilities can be particularly acute in instances where the perpetrator is known to the victim or lives in close proximity. In these cases, victims often feel trapped, choosing to remain silent in the hope of avoiding further harm.
This fear of retribution is further compounded by the social isolation that many hate crime victims experience. Prejudices that motivate hate crimes often lead to the marginalisation of individuals based on characteristics such as race, religion, or sexual orientation. In smaller communities, where diversity may be less visible, victims may feel as though they have nowhere to turn for support. The very nature of hate crimes – targeting a person’s identity – can create a deep sense of vulnerability and powerlessness.
Mistrust in Law Enforcement and the Justice System
Another key factor contributing to the underreporting of hate crimes is a widespread mistrust in law enforcement and the broader justice system. Historically, marginalised groups, particularly racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities, have faced discrimination and unfair treatment by the very institutions that are supposed to protect them. This has fostered a long-standing scepticism about whether police forces will take hate crime reports seriously, or if the victims will face further discrimination in the process.
Chief Inspector Derek McKerl, Dorset Police’s hate crime lead, reaffirmed Dorset Police’s commitment to those affected by hate crime, stating: “Dorset Police is steadfast in its position with those affected by hate crime. Our officers and staff are dedicated to supporting those who need it and raising standards of hate crime investigations.” Despite this commitment, there remains a perception among some individuals and communities that reporting hate crime will not lead to meaningful action or justice.
The perception of inaction on the part of police and other authorities can deter individuals from coming forward. Victims may feel as though their experiences will be dismissed or not fully investigated, reinforcing the notion that reporting the crime is futile. This mistrust is not limited to specific regions or police forces but is a widespread issue that affects the willingness of victims to engage with the justice system.
Lack of Awareness and Understanding
A significant barrier to reporting hate crime is the lack of awareness among both victims and bystanders about what constitutes a hate crime and how to report it. Many individuals, particularly those who experience more subtle forms of discrimination, may not immediately recognise that the hostility directed toward them qualifies as a hate crime. Additionally, cultural norms within some communities may normalise certain prejudiced behaviours, making it less likely that victims will view these incidents as serious enough to report.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick highlighted the importance of learning from those with lived experience of hate crime, noting, “I believe we must listen to and learn from those with a lived experience of this terrible crime, which has no place in our society.” This statement underscores the critical need for greater education and outreach to ensure that people understand what hate crime is and how it impacts victims.
Without a clear understanding of what constitutes a hate crime, victims may downplay the seriousness of the offence, dismissing it as an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of their daily lives. This is particularly true for individuals who experience frequent or repeated acts of discrimination. Over time, they may become desensitised to the hostility they face, further reducing the likelihood of reporting such incidents.
Psychological and Emotional Barriers
Hate crime is not just an attack on an individual’s physical safety or property; it is an assault on their identity. This deeply personal nature of hate crime can have a profound psychological impact on victims, leading to feelings of shame, self-blame, and a diminished sense of self-worth. Victims may internalise the prejudice they encounter, questioning whether they somehow invited or deserved the hostility directed toward them.
The emotional toll of hate crime can be so severe that victims may avoid revisiting the incident by reporting it. The process of making a formal complaint often requires recounting traumatic events, which can exacerbate feelings of distress and anxiety. For some, the prospect of reliving their experience by speaking to authorities can feel overwhelming, discouraging them from coming forward.
In cases involving members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals may fear being ‘outed’ if the crime is reported. For some, their sexual orientation or gender identity may not be widely known, and reporting a hate crime could unintentionally reveal this aspect of their identity. The fear of being outed, particularly in unsupportive social environments, can prevent individuals from seeking justice.
Cultural and Social Stigma
In certain cultures and social groups, there may be significant stigma attached to being a victim of hate crime. This stigma can manifest in different ways, ranging from a perception that the victim has brought the crime upon themselves to a belief that reporting such incidents is an act of weakness. For individuals raised in environments where self-reliance and resilience are highly valued, admitting to being a victim may be seen as a sign of failure.
This cultural stigma can be particularly prevalent in immigrant communities, where there may be pressure to avoid interactions with authorities out of fear that it could negatively affect their immigration status or standing in the community. These concerns are not entirely unfounded, as some individuals from immigrant backgrounds have reported facing hostility or scrutiny when attempting to engage with law enforcement, particularly if they are undocumented or have a precarious legal status.
The fear of being ostracised or blamed by one’s own community can prevent individuals from reporting hate crime, even when they are in urgent need of help. For some, the perceived social consequences of speaking out outweigh the potential benefits of reporting the crime, further contributing to the underreporting of hate crime incidents.
Lack of Confidence in Support Systems
While efforts to raise awareness and improve support systems for hate crime victims have increased, many individuals remain unaware of the resources available to them. Reporting a hate crime is not just about holding the perpetrator accountable; it is also about ensuring that victims receive the support and care they need to recover from their trauma. Unfortunately, the lack of visible and accessible support systems can leave victims feeling as though they are navigating the aftermath of the crime alone.
Chief Inspector Derek McKerl and Dorset Police have made it clear that they are committed to supporting hate crime victims, with McKerl emphasising the need for a “robust approach” to tackling hate crime and reducing its impact on communities. Reporting hate crimes also helps police forces better understand the depth and complexities of hate crime, enabling them to improve their responses and signpost victims to the appropriate resources.
However, without a clear understanding of what support is available and how to access it, many victims are left feeling as though reporting the crime will not make a meaningful difference in their recovery. This lack of confidence in support systems can be a powerful deterrent to reporting, particularly for individuals who have experienced severe or repeated victimisation.
Barriers to Bystander Reporting
In many cases, hate crimes are witnessed by bystanders who may have an opportunity to intervene or report the incident to authorities. However, just as victims face barriers to reporting hate crime, so too do bystanders. Fear of retaliation, apathy, and uncertainty about whether the incident qualifies as a hate crime can all contribute to bystanders choosing not to report what they have seen.
The reluctance of bystanders to report hate crimes can exacerbate the isolation experienced by victims, leaving them to deal with the aftermath of the crime without external support. This lack of intervention also sends a message to perpetrators that their behaviour is tolerated or will go unpunished, further emboldening them to continue engaging in hate-motivated actions.
The Way Forward
While there are numerous challenges associated with the underreporting of hate crime, initiatives like Hate Crime Awareness Week play a crucial role in addressing these issues. By raising awareness, fostering collaboration between affected communities and law enforcement, and improving access to support services, these initiatives can help create an environment in which victims feel more empowered to come forward.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick reaffirmed his commitment to encouraging tolerance, acceptance, and understanding across Dorset, acknowledging the detrimental impact hate crime can have on individuals and communities. Sidwick’s efforts, alongside those of other key partners, are essential in building trust between victims and law enforcement, ensuring that hate crimes are properly reported and addressed.
Ultimately, the key to tackling the underreporting of hate crime lies in fostering a culture of empathy, inclusivity, and support. Victims must feel confident that their reports will be taken seriously and that they will receive the care and protection they need. At the same time, communities must be encouraged to stand together in rejecting hate, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and that hate crime has no place in society.
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