For more in depth information on the Need of Victims of Hate Crimes, look at this document.

The impact of Hate/Bias motivated crimes is far reaching, extending beyond the physical and emotional trauma to the victim, to encompass other members of the community.

  
Hate Crime Victim Impact

 

“By not coming forward, you make yourself a victim forever”

~ Kelly McGillis, Actor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victim Issues

  • Isolation – families of homicide victims talk about losing 90% of their friends because no one wants to talk about the crime or the victim. (Sank and Caplan, 1991)
  • Loss of Faith – People of faith often blame their religious leaders or deities and ask why this act was allowed to happen
  • Blame – Some people blame the victim which lowers their self-esteem
  • Ignorance – Society says the individual should forget and move on which diminishes the impact on the individual.
  • Guilt – Family members or the individual feel guilty, and wonder if they could have done something to prevent the incident from happening in the first place. This feeling delays any possible healing from taking place.
  • Police Mistrust – General mistrust of the police services and the criminal justice system in minority communities results in a lower number of incidents being reported, and increases the impact of the crime on the victims.
  • Not Reporting - Recent studies of victim impact of racially motivated crime show that only 1 in 10 of such incidents is ever reported.
  • Frustration - Victims of racism, Anti-Semitism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination, feel isolated, terrorized, vulnerable, and frustrated that very little is ever done to bring the perpetrators to justice.

How To Help

  • Keep in mind that there is no standard reaction for a victim of a hate crime.
  • Understand that each person will respond differently depending upon the severity of the crime, their own past history, and their culture.
  • Not all people from a particular culture will react in the same manner - if dealing with a group crime be prepared for a multitude of reactions.
  • Individual reactions may appear to be out of place or too extreme for the particular incident – this may be a result of the hate crime triggering memories of past trauma.
  • Be aware of how you are asking questions. Past trauma is often linked to activities of police or military.
  • Be sensitive to racial, religious, cultural and gender factors as well as sexual orientation issues.
  • Be aware of different types of discrimination and oppression
  • Be calm and patient - for people speaking ESL, explaining themselves will be extra difficult.
  • Conduct interviews in a private quiet place - remember that the police station may be a scary place for many.
  • Ask for an interpreter - a family member may not be the best resource depending upon the situation. Professional interpretation is the best option.
  • Request involvement of Victims Services.
  • Try to take notes unobtrusively as much as possible.
  • Many people will fear that you will judge the incident as trivial. Reaffirm to them that the incident is real and that you will be looking into it.

ReportingTo Police

Hamilton Police Service
In cases of emergency please call 911 for immediate attention. Incidents of graffiti, non-violent crimes etc. can be reported directly to the police using the non-emergency line: 905-546-4925.
Reporting hate crimes to the police is very important.  It allows the police to work at catching and charging the people who committed this crime. If you want to see justice achieved for what happened this is an important step. The sooner the police are informed the sooner something can be done.

If you are afraid to report by yourself contact St. Joseph Immigrant Women's Centre: 905-529-5209, or call SISO's Hate Crimes Prevention Program: 905-667-7496 or another group in your own community.  They can help you report in one of two ways. They can accompany you to the police station and assist you (including providing cultural interpretation services). Alternatively, you can provide the information to them and they can connect with the police and provide the information (either with or without your name). In the second case, the police would be very limited in terms of resolving the situation because they wouldn’t have all of the details.
Crime Stoppers -1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or in Hamilton 905-522-8477 (TIPS) - is another way to provide the information to the police. It is completely anonymous so you don’t have to give your name at all.

Ontario Victim Services
An Overview


Victims of crime in Ontario are supported at all stages of the Justice system, and through Victims Services, the Ontario government ensures that victims are treated with respect and receive the services they need.  The Victims’ Bill of Rights, was proclaimed on June 11, 1996.  The Victims' Justice Action Plan (VJAP) was launched in June 2000. The goal of VJAP is to develop an integrated justice-sector service that is responsive to the needs of crime victims and community service providers.

Information on programs and services offered by the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat is available at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/vw

Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP)
General Inquiry: 905-645-5272   Fax: 905-645-5271 
Address: Suite 478, 45 Main St E, Hamilton, ON L8N2B7
The Hamilton Victim/Witness Assistance Program (V/WAP) provides information and assistance to victims and witnesses of crime involved in the criminal court process.

Ontario Victim Services Secretariat - Central West Region OVSS Office
General Inquiry: 905-521-7590   Fax: 905-521-7450
Address: Ellen Fairclough Bldg, 4th Flr, 119 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8P4Y7
The Central West Region Ontario Victim Services Secretariat's Office is responsible for the delivery of services for victims of crime in this area of the province. This involves the regional management of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service programs (VCARS), Sexual Assault Centres (SACS), Partner Assault Response Programs (PARS), and SupportLink

The Victim Support Line (VSL)

The Victim Support Line is province-wide, toll-free information line providing a range of services to victims of crime in English and French.
By dialing 1-888-579-2888 throughout Ontario. 
It has three components: 

  1. Information on the Justice System  
    Provides access to recorded information about how the Criminal Justice System works. This helps victims familiarize themselves with the justice system and lets them review information at their own pace. Information includes arrest and release procedures, the court system and sentencing options.
  2. Victim Notification System  
    Keeps victims informed about the status and scheduled release of provincially-sentenced adult offenders. Victims are asked to leave a message, name and telephone number, and they will be contacted by staff by the next business day. When the call is returned, the victim is provided with available information about the present status of the offender and then given the option of registering with the Victim Notification System. Registered victims receive automated voice messages by phone any time there is a change in the status of the offender. Information includes: parole hearing dates and decisions to release on parole or deny parole; temporary absences; any change in a scheduled release date; re-admission to a provincial institution or transfer to other jurisdictions and/or escapes or failures to return from leave. If the offender is under a form of community supervision, the victim can be given the name and phone number of the supervising probation/parole officer to assist with any concerns. 
  3. Supports and Services Referrals  
    Connects the victims directly to an information counsellor who can refer them to services in their community that can help them overcome the impact of crime. This includes counselling and other victim support services.