Re-Conceptualising Repeat Reports of Hate Crime/Incidents as Hate Relationships Based on Coercive Control and Space for Action

Abstract

Developing from existing research in the field of hate studies, this article outlines a new approach to understanding repeated experiences of hate by perpetrators who live in close proximity as neighbours to those victimised. Building on previous work, a conceptual argument is made drawing parallels between what we call ‘hate relationships’ and coercive control in domestically abusive relationships. Empirical data from a hate crime advocacy service in the North East of England evidences these parallels through consideration of the home as central to the hate experienced and the cumulative impact of a pattern of hate-motivated behaviours. As with coercive control, our analysis shows that the apparent inaction of help providers exacerbates hate relationships and their impacts. We argue that the current reliance on a criminal justice system, incident-based, approach to understanding and responding to repeat reporting of hate incidents is inadequate. Rather, an approach identifying hate relationships and intervening early in a hate relationship might better preempt escalation and provide possibilities for those victimised to remain in their own homes.

Domestic colonisation: The centrality of the home in experiences of home‐takeovers and hate relationships

“…In this section we draw upon work with an advocacy organisation in North East England exploring repeat reporting of hate incidents/crimes. In making sense of repeat experiences of hate, we have elsewhere developed the concept of ‘hate relationships’ (Donovan et al., 2023). This idea captures repeat experiences of hate concentrated in, around and enroute to the home.…”

“…The specific harmful relationships we focus on here are (a) ‘home‐takeovers’ (Macdonald et al., 2022) and (b) ‘hate relationships’ (Clayton et al., 2022a; Donovan et al., 2023). ‘Home takeovers’ or ‘cuckooing’ 1 (Coomber & Moyle, 2018; Macdonald et al., 2022; Spicer et al., 2020) refer to an individual or a group of individuals targeting a person with the intent of taking over their homes.…”

“…‘Hate relationships’ refer to repeat targeting of individuals and/or families over extended periods of time based on discriminatory assumptions and behaviours through intersections of ‘race’, religion, disability, transgender and/or sexuality by consistent perpetrators living locally. They involve a range of seemingly more or less violent acts towards people, their children and their property, the cumulative impact of which parallels coercive control exerted by perpetrators of domestic abuse (Donovan et al., 2023).…”