The INHS has identified five key areas in which research is required in the study of hate. In no particular order of importance these are:
- To understand the root causes of hate, including the motivations and behaviours that lead to the commission of hate crimes;
- To understand the experiences and impacts of hate crime
- To increase awareness in victims on how to report and respond to a hate crime/incident
- To better support the needs of those targeted;
- To determine how societies can effectively combat hate-motivated behaviours.
Research is required, not only to inform policy makers and legislators, but so that both victims and perpetrators of hate crimes have the support and means to ensure that hate crimes and hate incidents will not recur.
What follows are examples of initiatives and practices across a number of jurisdictions which are used in response to hate crimes. We do not comment on the efficacy of these practices, nor do we claim that they are perfect: rather, they highlight some of the excellent work being done across a number of jurisdictions, and can be used to understand ways in which hate can be targeted and understood.
