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October 27,2022 | 12 Waterloo Chronicle | Thursday, waterloochronicle.ca tygate BOOK YOUR TOUR Seniors Apartments Independent Living Assisted Living Respite Care 519-501-1131x7502 ¢ INFO@HYGATELIVING.COM 215 Lexington Rd, Waterloo e HB OPINION THE IMPACT OF HATE CRIMES IN WATERLOO REGION any GOVINDARAJ Colum Canada, knowing how to classify hate can be confusing. Currently, inci- dents are classified under ate crime. ‘te-moti Canada does not havea spe- cific offence called a "hate crime." This may be be- cause hate, prejudice and bias are covered by the Ca- nadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The Crimi- nal Code of Canada, provin- cial human rights codes and precedent from Ladi s. Res} federal tevele. which | timits what municipalities can do to support the impacted community or individuals. Hate crimes target the integral and visible parts of a person's identity and may disproportionately affect the wider community. A hate crime incident may be ried out against a per- son or property and may target race, colour, nation- alor ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender Gentty or expression Jan: ental physical disability or any other similar factor. The number of police- reported hate crimes in Canada increased by 27 per cent in 2021, rising from 2,646 incidents in 2020 to 8,360. This follows a 36 per cent increase in pol ‘ice- orted hate crimes from 2019 to 2020. In total, police- reported hate crimes have increased 72 per cent over the last two years. From 2020 to 2021, increases were noted in the number of po- lice-reported hate crimes targeting religion (+854 in- cidents, +67 per cent) and sexual orientation (+165 in- cidents, +64 per cent) and, be a Jesser bevel rat icity seen a similar rise in inci- dents reported in Waterloo Region. These numbers are only the tip of the iceberg, as many go unreported due to fear of retribution. The groups being targeted are vulnerable and do not see the police as a safe space. To help collect local data, the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW started "Re- port Hate Incidents and Discrimination" hitps:/ i reportinghate.ca/ does not replace the formal process; however, it t helps further paint a picture of what is really going on in Waterloo Region. The more we have, the better. aaa is critical to pacneas a comprehensive from all levels of palit ment Hate has a devastating impact on equity- -deserv ing groups. According American Psychology ‘AL sociation, "people victim- wed by violent hate crimes experi- ence more Oy cholovieal distress than victims other violent crimes. Spe- cifically, victims of crimes that are bias-motivated ai more likely to experience post-traumatic stress, safe- ty concerns, depression, motivated by bias." ite crimes send a clear message to members of the victims' group that they are unwelcome and unsafe in the community, further victimizin: the entire group and decreasing feel- ings of safety and s Seourity. A hate graffiti i park bench targeting the Black that they are not welcome here. After seeing such a message, a oa te was once a welcomi: no monger available to Ip can lead to psychological distress and lower self-es- teem. This has a huge men- tal health impact on a group that already has lim- ited access to mental health services. Hate incidences and vio- lence are a type of poten- tially traumatic stressor intended to instil fear and cal dam: ‘inis! sense of belonging, exclude a group identified as "oth- er" and/or expunge a group frot le community. It is intended to send a message by threatening or harming not only the person(s) be- ing directly victimized, but also the entire community to which the person is per- ceived to belong. Those ex- periencing this have health and well-being impacts; some of the behaviours may constitute traumatic events in accordance with the DSM-5 PTSD criteria, while others may represent significant stressors that may be represented by oth- er diagnoses or conditions. Hate has no place in our city, region, province and country. We can and must do better to ensure we live ina city and region that is welcoming and safe for ev- eryone, where people can thrive and prosper. We can do it — together. Sanjay Govindaraj is the director of Indigenous initiatives, anti-racism, accessibility, and equity Sor the City of Waterloo.