Policy Brief: Specialist Support for Hate Crime Victims
Hate crime victims require access to specialist support services. These services should be
victim-centred, needs-based and diversity-sensitive. They should include practical help,
emotional and psychosocial support, advice relating to legal and financial issues and
community engagement. Such specialist support services for hate crime victims should
be free of charge, confidential and form an integral part of a comprehensive hate crime
response.
This policy brief draws attention to the worrying situation in many participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), where current responses to hate crime victims’ needs fall short of agreed international commitments and obligations. It also highlights the need to establish or expand specialist support services that are tailored to victims and address the harmful impacts of hate crimes at the individual, community and societal levels
The views, opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this document are not given nor necessarily endorsed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) unless the OSCE is explicitly defined as the Author of this document.