The harmful effect on the individual victim

Victims of hate speech and hate crime are targeted due to their immutable and core identity characteristics, which are fundamental and unchangeable aspects of who they are. This targeting causes them to feel devalued, unwelcome, denigrated, and despised in society. The impact on victims can be profound, leaving them frightened, vulnerable, and suspicious, often experiencing one of the most traumatic events of their lives. Symptoms of severe trauma, such as depression, self-blame, a lack of confidence, and a profound sense of isolation, are common. Victims also face the fear of repeat victimization, with especially vulnerable groups—such as older adults, children, and individuals with physical and mental disabilities—experiencing heightened vulnerability. These experiences have serious and often long-lasting effects on the physical and mental health and well-being of victims, distinguishing hate crimes from other types of crime. Hate speech and hate crime fundamentally violate the victims’ rights to dignity and equality (Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, European Parliament, 2020; European Union Fundamental Rights Agency, 2012; Okhai, 2018).

Citations

• Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, European Parliament, ‘Hate speech and hate crime in the EU and the evaluation of offline content regulation approaches’ (July 2020), p. 23
• European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (‘FRA’), ‘Making hate crime visible in the European Union: acknowledging victims’ rights’ (2012), p. 20
• Layla Okhai, ‘How hate crime impacts mental health’ (Diverse Minds, 2018)