Measuring Misconceptions, Myths, and Stereotypes about Hate Crimes

• In Event: The Causes and Consequences of Hate Crime Victimization: Findings from the LHCVS Pilot Study

Abstract

While both public and academic attention to hate crimes has been increasing in prior years, there is evidence that the general public, as well as law enforcement professionals, do not always properly identify hate crimes. The misidentification of hate crimes as non-hate crimes is frequently tied to ideas of what constitutes a “true hate crime” – generally, these “true” crimes are not representative of hate crimes that occur or as defined by law. This phenomenon is similar to public acceptance of rape myths, wherein the general public defines a “true rape” more narrowly than criminal legislation does. As a result of misidentification of these events (both for hate crimes and sexual assaults), victims may receive less support from trusted peers, may be deterred from reporting the crime to the police, and may not be believed by police when they do report. The present work will present results from a pilot study seeking to identify the primary factors that predict acceptance of hate crime myths as well as key correlates of hate crime myth acceptance. Proper identification of key myths could improve public support of hate crime victims and lead to better law enforcement responses.

Author

• Matthew Vanden Bosch, Florida State University