Hate crimes are reprehensible acts driven by animosity and bias against specific target groups, transcending borders and geographical boundaries. Effectively addressing hate crimes necessitates a profound understanding of the victims impacted by prejudice and hostility. To combat crimes rooted in prejudice, it is crucial to delve into the experiences of the victims. A comprehensive understanding of their needs, characteristics, and perspectives becomes paramount for conducting thorough investigations, countering criminal activities, and preventing further victimization. Within this framework, this chapter encompasses the identification of victim groups affected by hate crimes and a detailed exploration of the requisite measures to eradicate victimization. This multifaceted approach aims not only to address the immediate consequences of hate crimes but also to implement proactive strategies that contribute to the prevention of recurrent victimization.
TopA General Evaluation Of The Content Of Hate Crimes
Hate crime, in its broadest definition, is “a criminal act motivated by bias or prejudice towards a person or group of persons while hate speech concerns various forms of expression directed against a person or group of persons on the grounds of the personal characteristics or status of the person or group of persons” (COE, 2022)According to a more detailed definition by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, hate crime is “any crime, including crimes against persons or property, in which the victim, premises or target of the crime is singled out because of their real or perceived affiliation, attachment or belonging, “a group may be based on a characteristic common to its members, such as actual or perceived race, national or ethnic origin, language, color, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or other similar factors” (Van der Aa et. al, 2021)
It should be stated that there is no generally accepted definition for hate crime (Hall, 2013; Perry, 2016). However, even if there is no single accepted and agreed-upon definition of hate crime, it is obvious that no matter which definition or content is accepted, it is quite clear that the basic motive for a hate crime to be considered as a hate crime is hatred and discrimination. At this point, it should be noted that the motive of hate is not specific to a certain region, geographical area or group, so hate crimes can be defined as crimes committed on the basis of hostility and prejudice against certain target groups, regardless of country, region or geography.