The report presents the key findings from a literature review and national statistics on hate crime, it identifies key stakeholders in the hate crime field and outlines recent policy developments. It looks at the findings of a survey on the support needs of and services for hate crime victims. Key data is given for the four research areas of: Cardiff; Lambeth; Oldham; and Stoke-on-Trent. The report considers local perspectives from service providers on local service provision, partnership working, gaps in service provision and how services might be improved. The views of victims of hate crime are considered and the report makes recommendations on improving support for hate crime victims.

This report is the second phase of a three-phase project which focuses on identifying and understanding the support needs of victims of hate crime motivated by race, sexuality and religion. Hate crime has become a significant area of concern for public policy with new legislation, policy and procedures being developed. It focuses particularly on the service provided by Victim Support, an independent national charity for people affected by crime.

The primary research comprised four parts: a survey of service providers; follow-up validation interviews; face-to-face interviews with people who had experienced hate crime; and a series of co-operative enquiry workshops with agencies providing support services. The secondary research was a literature review.

The main criticism expressed by the people taking part in the research related to their perception of Victim Support services and their lack of knowledge about what it does – the report recommends that Victim Support undertakes marketing and outreach work. The research highlighted particular problems in relation to children who are the victims of hate crime or who are within families where there is a victim of hate crime. With increasing immigration, language is a significant barrier for many in accessing services. There is a need for some people for further access to counselling services after the initial support provided. Self-help initiatives should be supported and there is a need for agencies which can act as victims’ advocates. Greater publicity needs to be given to third-party reporting schemes. Awareness needs to be raised amongst the general public that hate victimisation is a crime. The criminal justice system needs to be improved, in particular police specialist support services, which were rated highly, should be mainstreamed, and Victim Support should secure guidance on the use of discretion to encourage reporting of hate crime by those whose immigration status or other activities may make them reluctant to report such crimes.  

Victim Support
Phone: +44 20 7735 9166
contact@victimsupport.org.uk

01/06/2006

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Michael Bell Associates

research

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Sense of insecurity

Victims of crime