7
July
2021
Italian version now available
12 September 2022

Encouraging hate crime reporting - The role of law enforcement and other authorities

This report examines why victims do not report bias-motivated incidents and the barriers that they face when reporting incidents through national crime reporting systems. By mapping existing practices that have a bearing on the victim’s experiences when reporting bias-motivated violence and harassment, it aims to provide evidence to support national efforts to encourage and facilitate reporting – and ultimately assist Member States in delivering on their duties with regard to combating hate crime.
Overview

Hate crimes motivated by racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance or a person’s disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics are severe expressions of discrimination. In addition to violating individual victims’ rights, such crime weakens social cohesion and damages society as a whole.

EU and international human rights laws mandate EU Member States to combat hate crime effectively. But States cannot effectively deliver on these duties unless victims and witnesses come forward and report hate crime incidents to the competent authorities.