Hate crime
What makes a criminal offence a hate crime?
It happens at night The suspect is already known to the police It is clearly directed against a characteristic of the person, for example their sexual orientation or gender identity There are several suspects
Hate crime
An incident that is not (yet) a criminal offence but is clearly directed against a characteristic of a person is called…
Prejudice-motivated incident (hate incident) A trivial offence Misconduct There is no specific term for it
Hate crime
Which characteristic typically counts among the possible motives for hate crime in Germany?
Favourite football club Shoe size Taste in music Gender identity or sexual orientation
Hate crime
Is this statement true? “Hate crime is almost always committed by complete strangers.”
True, victims hardly ever know the suspect Not true: acquaintances, neighbours or colleagues can also be suspects True, that’s how the law defines it Only applies to criminal damage
Hate crime
What forms can hate crime take?
Only physical violence Only criminal damage Only online posts Insults, threats, criminal damage, physical violence and online hate – depending on the case, several of these at once
Hate crime
What consequences can a hate crime have for those affected?
Fear, withdrawal and mistrust, even towards people who weren’t involved Usually none, if nobody was injured Only financial consequences Only legal consequences for the suspect
Witness
What can strengthen a community after it has faced hate crime?
Keeping quiet and sitting it out Everyone affected moving away Visible solidarity and cohesion, for example through witnesses who help No reaction is the best reaction
Unreported cases
Why do experts speak of a high number of “unreported cases” in hate crime?
Because the police are understaffed Because hate crime is rare in Germany Because the statistics are secret Because many offences are never reported to the police or elsewhere
Find counselling
Why is it helpful that there are other ways to report besides the police, for example counselling services?
Because the police are not allowed to accept reports Because some people affected want to turn to someone they trust first, before or instead of going to the police Because counselling services replace the police That’s not true, the only way is through the police
Witness
You see a situation that could become dangerous. What is the most important first step?
First assess your own safety Step in immediately Film the person Ignore the situation
Secure evidence
Why is it worth securing evidence such as screenshots or photos, even if you’re not sure whether you’ll report it?
It isn’t worth it, evidence expires immediately Only the police are allowed to secure evidence Evidence can help later, even if you only decide at a later point Evidence only matters for criminal damage
Report it to the police
Can you report a crime to the police anonymously?
No, never Only for criminal damage Only online In principle yes, the police must also follow up on matters reported anonymously
Hate crime
Who can be affected by hate crime?
Only people who belong to a “typical” minority Anyone who is attacked because of a characteristic such as origin, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity Only people from big cities Only people who speak out in public
Witness
What should you avoid as a witness?
Calling the police Drawing attention to yourself and the situation Getting into a physical fight with the suspect on your own Giving a statement as a witness later
Report it to the police
Why is it important for society that hate crime is reported, even if the individual case seems minor?
Only reported offences appear in the statistics and can lead to consequences for suspects It isn’t, small cases don’t matter So the police have more to do There is no benefit to society
Unreported cases
According to an EU-wide survey by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA): how many out of 100 LGBTIQ* people report a physical or sexual assault they experienced to the police?
13 out of 100 33 out of 100 50 out of 100 87 out of 100
Online hate
Who can review unlawful hate posts and have them removed, even if the platform itself doesn’t respond?
Only the police Nobody, it can’t be resolved Only a lawyer The Medienanstalt Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein (MA HSH)
Police
What do the Zentrale Ansprechstelle LSBTIQ* (central LGBTIQ* contact point, Schleswig-Holstein) and Cops4Q (Hamburg) offer?
Only traffic checks Specially trained contacts for LGBTIQ* issues Online appointment booking only Legal advice for associations
Find counselling
You don’t know who to turn to. Which portal gives you an overview of counselling services in Schleswig-Holstein?
Only the police The Bundestag echte-vielfalt.de There is no such portal
Report it to the police
Can you withdraw a criminal complaint once the police know about the offence?
Yes, at any time No, the police then have to investigate Only with the suspect’s consent Only within 24 hours
