Would Others Help? Understanding Bystander Responses to Hate Crimes through Factorial Design

• In Event: Understanding Hate Crimes from a Theoretical and Empirical Perspective

Abstract

Religious hate crimes, particularly those motivated by religious factors, inflict profound harm, particularly on young victims who are at an increased risk of experiencing depression and suicidal tendencies. The substantial underreporting of such incidents underscores the necessity for comprehensive investigations employing diverse methodologies, including self-reported surveys, interviews, and experimental approaches. While existing literature predominantly focuses on victims, offenders, and law enforcement, religiously motivated hate crimes frequently transpire in public spaces, necessitating an examination of bystander dynamics.
This extensive study, encompassing surveys and vignette experiments conducted across four countries with 1000 respondents each (N=4000), pursues three primary objectives: comprehending respondents' attitudes toward hate crime sanctions, dissecting the intricacies of bystander behaviour in simulated hate crime scenarios, and scrutinising how victim characteristics influence individuals' willingness to intervene. This presentation specifically addresses the second objective (N=1000), delving into the specific question of how awareness of what others might do in this situation affects one's response. The talk will reveal preliminary results, engage in discussions on unexpected findings, and delineate implications for future research. By probing attitudes, bystander dynamics, and victim characteristics, this study aspires to contribute to the prevention of hate crime victimisation and provide insights into the decision-making processes of potential helpers.

Author

• Sophie Litvak, University of Helsinki