Preventing Hate Crimes Learning Module 8 Preventing Hate Crimes

Hate on Campus

10 Ways to Prevent Hate Crimes

#1 Identify, Report, and Assess the Hate Crime Problem in Your Community Recognizing and reporting the extent of hate violence and bias-motivated crime is necessary to understand the scope of the problem and accurately develop appropriate prevention measures. These first steps in prevention include keeping accurate information, creating and utilizing reporting forms and procedures, and administering assessment tools or surveys. This information is then used to generate questions about the nature of the problem, as well as possible solutions. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#2 Assist Victims Victims of hate crimes face many of the same traumas as victims of other violent crimes. Their trauma is often compounded, however, because of the unique nature of hate crimes as deeply personal and intended specifically to terrorize the victim. Understanding how hate crimes are unique allows those working with victims to respond appropriately and sensitively to their special needs. Supporting victims of hate crimes improves the overall climate of the community, helps ensure the health and well-being of community members, and can de-escalate tensions, all of which is significant to prevention. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#3 Respond to Hate Crime Immediate response, collective action, and condemnation by the community is critical to contain unrest in the community, prevent retaliatory hate crimes and copycat crimes, and reassure the targeted individuals and community that these crimes will not be tolerated. Applying community policing strategies to enable proactive enforcement is a major tool in prevention. Responding effectively to all incidents deters them from escalating into more violent hate crimes. Consistent and appropriate enforcement prevents recidivism, discourages others from committing similar crimes, and improves the climate in the community. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#4. Work with Young Hate Crime Offenders #4 Work with Young Hate Crime Offenders Working with hate crime perpetrators is a significant prevention activity. Effective diversion programs and aftercare can reduce repeat offenses among these groups. Understanding that hate crime offenders are not a homogenous group, but complex individuals with varying motivations, is significant to developing effective programs to prevent recidivism. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#5. Encourage Young People to Advocate for Prevention #5 Encourage Young People to Advocate for Prevention Young people are not just victims and perpetrators of hate crimes, they are essential allies in a comprehensive approach to hate crime prevention. By using tools from violence prevention and prejudice reduction programs for early intervention with children, adults can set the stage for teens to become effective advocates for prevention. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#6. Train Professionals in Intervention, Response, and Prevention #6 Train Professionals in Intervention, Response, and Prevention Hate crime prevention training creates a network of informed professionals who are equipped to address the specific needs of victims, work with hate crime offenders, understand hate crime legislation, policy, and protocol, develop prevention programs, and build relationships with other professionals working to prevent hate crime. Training juvenile justice workers, school personnel, police officers, victim service providers, clergy, court personnel, and others (especially those working with young people) to institute prevention programs and strategies has the potential for significant community impact because these practitioners are those who implement prevention protocols and are most likely to interact with both perpetrators and victims of bias crimes. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#7. Develop Hate Crime Partnerships and Coalitions #7 Develop Hate Crime Partnerships and Coalitions Develop partnerships and coalitions among key players to improve communication between agencies, increase the effectiveness of programs, avoid redundancy, lend credibility to initiatives, strengthen advocacy efforts, encourage comprehensive program approaches, and improve the potential for success. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#8. Change Policy and Protocols #8 Change Policy and Protocols Influencing policy at the federal, state, and local levels may include drafting and implementing legislation to change policies to encourage early intervention. Funding hate crime prevention strategies, creating state or federal prevention networks or coalitions, and developing training and materials are all examples of ways in which policy and legislation can promote hate crime prevention. Creating and supporting local human rights commissions and state or national hate crime task forces focus public attention on prejudice and intolerance and raise awareness of these crimes. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#9. Raise Community Awareness and Provide. Public Outreach #9 Raise Community Awareness and Provide Public Outreach Community education through mass media and civic institutions encourages involvement and support from the community by raising awareness of the injustice and divisiveness of hate crime and highlighting opportunities to make a difference through prevention programs. Community education can be developed through many institutions and in several different situations. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

#10. Reevaluate and Look to the Future #10 Reevaluate and Look to the Future Evaluation of strategies, practices, programs, and policies enables ongoing revision, increases effectiveness, and improves credibility. Implementing the steps of a comprehensive approach requires time, dedication, and sustained resources. Hate crime prevention, violence prevention, and working to alleviate the tension caused by prejudice is ongoing. Copyright ©2001. Wiley-Cordone, J. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Training Manual. National Center for Hate Crime Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc.: Newton, MA. Used with permission

Best Practices to Prevent Hate