Taking on Hate Crimes
EU Priorities
Reporting Hate Crimes
Hate crime has been a priority for the EU, leading to several efforts to improve its reporting and support.
In specific, the EU has put forward some key principles to encourage hate crime reporting, as follows:
Remove barriers
→ Address the invisibility of hate crime.
→ Counter discriminatory perceptions and practices in policing.
→ Facilitate effective access to specialised support services.
Enable structures
→ Ensure proper recording.
→ Set alternative recording options.
Enable processes
→ Tailor outreach measures to reach those at risk of victimisation and increase awareness.
→ Build institutional capacity.
→ Cooperate, within, across and beyond institutional barriers.
→ Cooperate with civil society and community organisations.
→ Regularly assess progress and impact.
For more information: EU High Level Group on combating racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance (2021). Key guiding principles on encouraging reporting of hate crime.
Guiding Principles
Supporting Victims
As for support systems, it is advisable to:
Legal framework
Understand the specific law which designates the rights of victims and what is entailed for cases of hate crime. Mostly on a national basis.
Support systems and structures
The required support should be built on a coherent and well-functioning co-ordination systems.
Specialised support
Victims of hate crime should have access to general support services, which need to be complemented by specialist services that understand the complexities and dynamics of hate crime.
Needs assessment
To be able to clearly determine the services needed, and identify service providers, an Individual needs assessment must be carried out.
Respectful treatment
A sensitive and respectful treatment is a fundamental step in the support of hate crime victims, especially as it can help to build trust on the criminal justice system.
Criminal proceedings
Victims must be involved in the criminal proceedings, this way acknowledging the seriousness of the harm, allowing the victim to regain some agency.
Reporting Crimes
The Trust challenge
Ensuring the sensitive and respectful treatment of victims of hate and extremism crimes requires overcoming a significant challenge, specifically:
Barriers to Reporting Hate Crimes
Hate crimes often remain unreported, largely due to victims feeling their concerns won’t be taken seriously, especially by the responsible authorities.
Distrust in Authorities
Many victims often fear that law enforcement and judicial authorities share, even if unconsciously, the biases that motived their harm.
The Role of Justice and Support Professionals
Criminal justice professionals and victim support workers must take proactive steps to ensure that hate crime victims are treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity.
Best Practices
For Professionals
Fostering a Culture of Compassion
Each professional involved has a vital role in creating a culture of compassion and understanding.
Building Trust Through Respectful Treatment
By fostering sensitive and respectful treatment, we can build trust and enhance the overall experience for victims in the criminal justice process.
Empowering Victims and Preventing Re-victimisation
This empowerment not only encourages them to share their experiences bravely, but also helps prevent further victimisation during and after their journey.
Practical tips for professionals when dealing with potential hate and extremism cases
- Be aware of protected characteristics, and how intersectionality comes into play.
- Apply a victim centred approach.
Respect the victims’ perception, discourse and rhythms. - Inform the victims of their rights, available support services and next steps in the proceedings.
- Ensure a safe environment.
- Adopt communication practices which mitigate the potential impact of re-victimisation.