Impact of Racist Incidents on Victims

The experience of racist crime and racial harassment can have an intense emotional and social impact on victims. Anger, insecurity, stress and depression are common, especially among people who are experiencing persistent harassment. Research suggests the impact of racially motivated crimes on victims may be even greater than that of other crimes

(FitzGerald, M. & Hale, C. (1996) Ethnic Minorities: Victimisation & Racial Harassment. Findings from the 1988 and 1992 British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study 154. London: Home Office.)

Harassment in or around the home can produce conflict between members of the family and create social isolation (for example, friends may no longer visit, while victims are often afraid to leave their home unattended). It can force victims to deny their children the freedom to play, and it can damage the physical and emotional health of all members of the household. Often families live in a state of virtual siege in their own home

Chahal, K. & Julienne, L. (1999) We Can’t All Be White! Racist Victimisation in the UK. Joseph Rowntree Foundation