Sadique, K. et al (2018), The Importance of Narrative in Responding to Hate Incidents Following ‘Trigger’ Events
Country
United Kingdom
Title
Sadique, K. et al (2018), The Importance of Narrative in Responding to Hate Incidents Following ‘Trigger’ Events
View full ResearchYear
2018
Type of publication
Report
Geographical coverage
National
Area/location of interest
Not applicable - national level
Type of Institution
Academic
Institution
UK, Tell MAMA
Main Thematic Focus
Hate crime Incitement to hatred or violence
Target Population
Muslims
Key findings
The report aims to understand post “trigger event” patterns of hate incidents.
The report made the following findings:
• Following a ‘trigger event’ there is a spike in hate incidents - between 24-48 hours online and 48-72 hours offline.
• Government, media and police responses to ‘trigger event’ influence the prevalence and severity of hate incidents.
• When the ‘trigger event’ is a terrorist attack, the target chosen also appears to play a significant role in the prevalence and severity of hate incidents that follow.
• It is important that Muslim communities are given a platform to condemn ‘trigger events’.
• After the Westminster Bridge attack a National 14-Day Plan (terror incident response plan) was
implemented by the Metropolitan Police. It proved to be a significant factor in preventing the expected rise in hate incidents following the event.
• The number of fatalities of a “trigger event” effects the spike in hate incidents.
• Feelings of patriotism associated with the ‘trigger event’ also effect the spike.
Accordingly the following recommendations were made, inter alia:
• Immediately following a trigger event, police forces should implement the National 14-Day Plan.
• Reporting in the aftermath of a “trigger event” must be more balanced and media outlets should be held accountable for inflammatory or inaccurate reporting.
• Social media companies should enforce a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards posts that incite hate.
Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)
• Qualitative
• 560 Newspaper articles were used for discourse analysis
• Analysis of reported hate incidents
• Semi-structured interviews
Sample details and representativeness
Semi-structured interviews with three hate crime professionals and two journalists
DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.