Advancing social justice: critical reflections on the hate crime and bias monitoring form

Abstract

In 2010, the South African Hate Crimes Working Group initiated a project to monitor hate incidents. This longitudinal research project was completed in 2017. The project had brought together researchers, activists and service providers. The resultant monitoring form (‘The Hate Crime and Bias Monitoring Form') was, internationally, one of the first of its kind and remains the only such tool in Africa. The Hate Crimes Working Group is a multi-sectoral network of civil society organisations serving the interests of a cross-section of marginalised groups, including those targeted based on their nationality; religion; status as a sex worker; and sexual orientation; gender identity; and/or expression. Bringing together under one umbrella such divergent, and sometimes opposing, groups and persons at risk of becoming victims of prejudice-motivated attacks is a definite strength of this unique structure. However, designing a monitoring form in a manner that enables universal usage for recording hate- and bias-motivated incidents across various vulnerable sectors, significantly added to the complexity of the endeavour. The study that informed this article critically reflected on the design and implementation phases of the original project, applying a qualitative research approach using face-to-face interviews and an online survey, both thematically analysed using the ATLAS.ti qualitative research data/text analysis tool. Findings suggest that the specific challenges that confronted the project, such as: difficulties reaching an agreement on terminologies appropriate to such broad constituencies, and that certain limitations were present. Yet, the Hate Crimes Working Group Monitoring Form Project successfully managed to provide a baseline for the nature and impact of hate incidents in South Africa. Findings furthermore serve to create a more coherent picture to inform legislative and policy responses towards minimising secondary victimisation in policing and healthcare, and the advancement of social justice for all. It is hoped the reach and impact of the project will facilitate future benefits for often neglected victims of hate incidents in South Africa and elsewhere.