Victims of Hate Crime, 2021 – Text version
What is a Hate Crime?
Hate crime is defined as a criminal violation motivated by hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor. [1]
Police-reported hate crime, 2021 [2]
- 3,360: Total number of police reported hate crime incidents in Canada
- 22%: Incidents perceived to be motivated by hate that were reported to the police
- 1,251: Victims of police-reported violent hate crimes in Canada
Majority of hate crimes were motivated by race or ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation:
- 53% Race or ethnicity
- 27% Religion
- 13% Sexual orientation
- 7% Other
Increases in various types of hate crimes in 2021 were as follows:
- +18% East/Southeast Asian and South Asian communities
- +46% Arab and West Asian communities
- +67% Religion
- +64% Sexual orientation
Compared to 2019, hate crimes increased 72%.
60% of victims of violent hate crimes were identified as men and boys, while 40% were identified as women and girls*
*Note: Data excludes victims where gender is unknown. Given the small counts of victims and accused persons identified as ‘gender diverse’ may exist, available UCR data was re-coded to assign these counts to either “male” or “female” in order to ensure protection of confidentiality and privacy. [1] Additional data by special request from Statistics Canada.
Hate crimes targeting the Black population (-5%) and the Indigenous population decreased (-1%). However, these decreases following large increases in 2020 (Black +96%; Indigenous +169%).
Impacts of Infographic: Victims of Hate Crimes [3]
The harms of hate crime can extend beyond the immediate victim to both direct and indirect impacts on the victim’s community.
Impacts of hate-motivated crime:
- Victim(s)
- Victim’s family and friends
- Victim’s community
- Other vulnerable communities
- Non-members of targeted or vulnerable communities
Hate crimes target integral parts of a person’s identity and express a message of rejection towards both the target of the crime and their community. Impacts can include:
Direct:
- Physical harm
- Shock
- Socio-emotional and psychological distress
- Depression and withdrawal
- Vulnerability
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Extreme sense of isolation
- Long lasting fear of repeated victimization
- Protracted psychosomatic symptoms
- Significant problems with school, work, and friends and family
Indirect:
- Fear of future attacks
- Prevent communities from organizing activities or events in public spaces
- Self-censorship
- Loss of trust in security and state authorities
- Relocation to other places, cities or countries
Types of Victim Support [3]
Emotional and psychological support: Victims of hate crime needs to be heard, understood, believed and taken seriously. They need to feel empowered to share their experiences through solidarity from the public and organizations as allies.
Personal safety and support: Some victims may need urgent and immediate help to deal with the consequences of the crime.
Ex. Immediate medical assistance, relocation
Practical help: Infographic: Victims of Hate Crime need to feel safe and protected. They need to know they are safe from physical and mental harm.
Help navigating the criminal justice system: Victims need help finding resources, information, and support. Victims of hate crimes can report the incident to police through a third party such as a friend, community representative of group.
Types of Victim Services [4]
Services are available across the country for victims of crime, including victims of hate-motivated crime. These services can include:
System-based: Assists victims throughout their contact with criminal justice system. Services may include:
- Providing information, support, referrals
- Short term counselling
- Court preparation and accompaniment
- Victim impact statement preparation
Police-based: Provided following a victim’s first contact with police: Services may include:
- Providing information and referrals
- Support
- Assistance
- Court orientation
Court-based: Provides support for victims or witnesses. Services may include:
- Court orientation, preparation and accompaniment
- Updates on cases progress
- Coordinating meetings with Crown counsel
Community-based: Provides direct services to victims. Services may include:
- Emotional support
- Practical assistance
- Information
- Court orientation
- Referrals
Click here for the Victim Services Directory
[1] Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics. 2022. Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR) Manual. p.89
[2] Moreau, Greg. 2022. Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 2021. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X. Juristat. Accessed at: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00013-eng.htm
[3] Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 2020. Understanding the Needs of Hate CrimeVictims. OSCE ODIHR Hate Crime Victim Support. https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/0/5/463011.pdf
[4] See Victim Services in Canada, 2018. Available upon request at rsd.drs@justice.gc.ca