The Windsor Police Service hopes a new online reporting tool will make it easier to report hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents by removing the stigma victims sometimes feel by going to the police.
Victims can submit detailed accounts of suspected hate crimes from the comfort and safety of their homes while providing police with a greater understanding of those incidents so they can direct resources accordingly.
"Hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents continue to impact individuals and families in Windsor and across Canada," said Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire. "By leveraging technology to streamline the reporting process, we hope to empower victims and witnesses to come forward while also bolstering our ability to effectively respond to incidents of hate."
A hate crime is a criminal act driven by hatred of someone's race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Hate-motivated incidents may not be criminal but include name-calling, graffiti, racial insults, or spreading hateful messages.
Windsor Police investigated 32 reported hate-motivated incidents last year, including 17 that involved race or ethnicity, nine involving religion, six related to sexual orientation, and one about gender.
"We understand the profound impact that hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents can have on individuals and communities," said Constable Philippe Peladeau, the Windsor Police Hate Crimes Officer. "By providing an online reporting option, we hope to remove some of these barriers and encourage greater participation in the fight against hate.
Unfortunately, some in the community may be afraid to come forward.
"Newcomers are hesitant to report or seek support for these painful experiences due to fear, stigma, and other barriers," said Program Director of the South Asian Centre of Windsor Nandini Tirumala. "Through monitoring and collection of data, more education and awareness campaigns can be offered to prevent hate-motivated incidents and make Windsor an inclusive community for all."
