Interactions Between Hate Crime Victims and Police: A Comparison Between the US and Germany

• In Event: New Frontiers in Cross-National Research on Victimization

Abstract

The mentally ill are frequently perceived by members of society to be dangerous and potentially violent. They exhibit, however, an increased risk of becoming victims of violence, often motivated by bias. Representatives of police and other criminal justice system agencies might have their own biases and perceptions as they interact with mentally ill offenders and victims. These interactions might, if communication is not carefully managed, lead to the escalation of situational conflicts. A second victimization and perhaps additional and deeper traumatization of the mentally ill might occur.
This presentation will compare interaction approaches with the mentally ill between the United States and Germany. The situational contexts and needs of mentally ill, in particular as victims of bias crimes, are handled differently in both countries. For example, Germany has been particularly criticized by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for its lack of appropriate structures in its judicial processes. The US on the other hand never ratified the convention. This presentation will also outline a comparative taxonomy depicting similarities and discrepancies of definitions, policies, and assumptions between the different criminal justice institutions.

Authors

• Daniela Krause, Bielefeld University

• Jack McDevitt, Northeastern University

• Alex Wagner, Fisher College