Hate Crimes Against 45% of East and Southeast Asian People in the UK in the Past Year
New Report Reveals Shocking Statistics of Hate Crime Against East and Southeast Asian Communities in the UK
London, UK – On Tuesday 23rd April, 2024, charity Protection Approaches, in collaboration with the University of Leicester’s Centre for Hate Studies, launched their report on East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities’ experiences of hate crime in the UK in Parliament. The report, funded by the Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs at JPMorgan Chase, revealed that a staggering 45% of ESEA community members have been subjected to a hate crime in the last year.
The report, titled “Hate Crime Against East and Southeast Asian Communities in the UK,” sheds light on the chronic underreporting of hate crimes against ESEA communities, with only 10% of victims reporting the incidents to the police. The report was launched in Parliament with Sarah Owen MP as host and chair.
Sarah Owen MP stated, “The absence of a national strategy on hate crime has left policymakers ill-equipped to address the new challenges facing Britain in 2024, with communities paying the price. If we are to ensure our ESEA communities thrive, we must listen to their needs. This report should serve as a call to action for people, politicians, and policymakers alike.”
The report reveals that during the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of hate crime against ESEA communities spiked by nearly 70%. This increase highlighted the lack of services supporting ESEA community members who face hate, as well as the historical neglect of ESEA experiences of hate crime in the public consciousness.
Embargoed until 17:00 on 23 April 2024, the report found that 45% (430,000) of ESEA community members were subjected to a hate crime in the last year. Of those, 55% were subject to more than one incident, suggesting that close to 1 million hate crimes targeting ESEA community members were committed in the last 12 months.
The research also found that only 1 in 10 of those who were subjected to hate crime in the past year reported the incidents to the police. 63% of participants who did not report their experiences of hate crime to the police felt that the authorities would not take it seriously.
The report also delves into the perpetrators and locations of these hate crimes, revealing that in 75% of recent incidents, the offenders were men. The report also found that 42% of victims were targeted by groups of perpetrators. Additionally, in 53% of recent incidents, participants believed the offenders were under 30 years old, showing that hostility and prejudice towards ESEA communities in the UK is not just confined to the past or older generations.
The impacts of these hate crimes on victims were also highlighted in the report, with 99% of victims reporting negative impacts on their well-being. 90% stated that their experiences made them upset, 72% felt anxious, 61% felt vulnerable, 26% felt depressed, and 4% even felt suicidal. Despite these serious impacts, only 5% of victims had ever received emotional support from any agency or organization.
Victina Tse, Project Coordinator at On Your Side, said, “These findings underscore the necessity for tailored and culturally competent reporting mechanisms and support services specifically designed for ESEA communities who experience hate.” On Your Side is a 24/7 freephone helpline and community casework support service run by ESEA community groups across the country.
Andy Fearn, Co-Executive Director of Protection Approaches, stated, “The findings of this research are a call to action for both the Government and funding bodies. The rise in hate crime faced by ESEA communities during COVID-19 was not just a passing trend but a significant societal issue that demands immediate and comprehensive intervention. It is imperative that the Government expedites the publication of a new national Hate Crime Strategy.”
The report calls on the Government and funding bodies to take immediate steps, including prioritizing the publication of a new national Hate Crime Strategy focused on prevention and meaningful victim support, increasing funding for third party support and reporting services, and investing in and prioritizing local community initiatives and educational projects to raise awareness about hate crimes targeting ESEA communities.
The shocking statistics and findings of this report make it clear that more must be done to prevent hate crime targeting ESEA communities and ensure that victims have access to the support they need. The report offers a clear roadmap for change, and Protection Approaches urges the Government and funding bodies to take action and make meaningful changes to address this pressing issue.
Contact: Callie LewisEmail: callie.lewis@protectionapproaches.orgPhone: +447446944626
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