Violence/Hate Crimes/Victimization

Owned by Darlene Edgar
Feb 29, 2024
2 min read

Mercier-Dalphond, G., & Helly, D. (2021). Anti-Muslim violence, hate crime, and victimization in Canada: A study of five Canadian cities. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 53(1), N.PAG. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=148989473&custid=s7439054

  • Study Overview:

    • Conducted in 2019, interviewing 51 individuals who identified as Muslim and experienced hate crimes or gestures in public spaces.

    • Research focused on five Canadian cities: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

    • Canadian law criminalizes advocating genocide, inciting hatred, or promoting hatred against identifiable groups.

    • Hate incidents targeted individuals based on socio-cultural characteristics, with daily harassment having serious impacts.

  • Nature of Anti-Muslim Victimization:

    • Islamophobia, termed "nativism," seeks to protect native population interests against immigrants.

    • Majority of studies on victimization focus on race rather than Islamophobia.

    • Incidents often involve women wearing hijab, niqab, or burqa, resulting in verbal, physical, and sexual harassment.

    • Victims, predominantly women, experience declining self-esteem and alter behaviors to avoid further victimization.

    • Lack of institutional support exacerbates feelings of victimization and marginalization.

  • Historical Context and Migration Patterns:

    • Muslim population in Canada grew significantly since the 1960s due to changes in immigration policies.

    • Early immigrants faced racial violence and discrimination, with distinct minority status until the 1960s.

    • Policies promoting multiculturalism aimed to integrate immigrants but didn't eradicate racism.

    • Quebec's proposed laws aimed at identity protection have made Muslim immigrants feel different and marginalized.

  • Incidence and Characteristics of Hate Crimes:

    • Semi-structured interviews revealed verbal harassment, sexual harassment, physical assault, and threats of violence as common.

    • Aggressors, typically white males, target victims in public spaces like transit, stores, and cafes.

    • Fear of hate crimes leads to altered schedules and behaviors among victims, particularly hijabi women.

  • Impact and Coping Mechanisms:

    • Victims experience emotional distress, fear, and loss of safety, affecting their daily lives and sense of belonging.

    • Quebec City mosque shooting heightened feelings of insecurity, especially in places of worship.

    • Coping mechanisms include resilience, community support, and adaptation of routines to avoid victimization.

  • Recommendations and Responses:

    • Need for dialogue, education, and recognition of diversity to combat Islamophobia.

    • Calls for government acknowledgment of Islamophobia, hate crime legislation, and removal of discriminatory laws like Quebec's Bill 21.

    • Emphasis on community engagement, political participation, and security reinforcement to prevent hate crimes and support victims.

    • Resistance and resilience efforts include education campaigns, online support platforms, and community workshops.

  • Challenges and Future Directions:

    • Difficulty in defining and assessing hate incidents due to underreporting and societal acceptance.

    • Muslim population lacks political power to influence government agendas effectively.

    • Need for comprehensive measures to combat online hate speech, support victims, and promote social cohesion.