What should be our priority keeping in mind that 1) Ottawa is #2 on the list of most police-reported hate crimes in Canada and 2) data from Statistics Canada paints a disturbing picture about who is involved in hate crimes?
According to StatsCan, nearly a quarter of those accused of hate crimes between 2010 and 2019 were between the ages of 12 and 17 – most of them were male.
Addressing hate crimes typically involves a multi-faceted approach that includes coalitions of community and law enforcement agencies (such as the United for All in Ottawa), education, and community outreach. Law enforcement agencies should be trained to recognise and investigate hate crimes, and should work with community leaders and organisations to build trust and cooperation. Educational programs can be implemented to promote tolerance and understanding, and to teach people about the impact of hate crimes on individuals and communities. Community outreach can involve working with organisations that serve marginalised groups to provide support and resources, and to raise awareness about hate crimes. Additionally, policies and legislation can be put in place at the local, state, and federal level to address hate crimes and provide protections for victims.
