Top
Skip to Content
LOGO(small) - Queen's University Belfast
  • Our facebook
  • Our x-twitter
  • Our youtube
  • Our instagram
LOGO(large) - Queen's University Belfast

School of

Law

  • Home
  • Study
    • Undergraduate
    • Postgraduate Taught
    • Postgraduate Research
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Why Law at Queen's
    • Student Experience
    • Student Blog
    • Pathways to Qualification
  • Research
    • Research Projects
    • Research Environment
    • Impact and Engagement
    • Law Lab
    • Publications
    • Research Students
    • Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly
    • Visiting Scholars
    • Visiting Students
    • Public Lectures
    • Postdoctoral Research
  • Employability
    • Skills Development
    • Legal Placement Module
    • Employer Zone
    • Our Graduates
    • Mooting
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • Legal Practitioners
  • About
    • Location
    • Facilities
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Student Law Society
    • Pathways Opportunity Programme
    • Fordham Summer School
  • People
    • Academic Staff
    • Administrative Support
  • News
    • Archive 2021-22
    • Archive 2019-20
    • Archive 2018-19
    • Archive 2017-18
    • Archive 2016-17
    • Archive 2015-16
  • Events
    • Events 2023-24
  • Home
  • Study
    • Undergraduate
    • Postgraduate Taught
    • Postgraduate Research
    • Graduate Degrees
    • Why Law at Queen's
    • Student Experience
    • Student Blog
    • Pathways to Qualification
  • Research
    • Research Projects
    • Research Environment
    • Impact and Engagement
    • Law Lab
    • Publications
    • Research Students
    • Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly
    • Visiting Scholars
    • Visiting Students
    • Public Lectures
    • Postdoctoral Research
  • Employability
    • Skills Development
    • Legal Placement Module
    • Employer Zone
    • Our Graduates
    • Mooting
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • Legal Practitioners
  • About
    • Location
    • Facilities
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Student Law Society
    • Pathways Opportunity Programme
    • Fordham Summer School
  • People
    • Academic Staff
    • Administrative Support
  • News
    • Archive 2021-22
    • Archive 2019-20
    • Archive 2018-19
    • Archive 2017-18
    • Archive 2016-17
    • Archive 2015-16
  • Events
    • Events 2023-24
  • Our facebook
  • Our x-twitter
  • Our youtube
  • Our instagram
In This Section
  • Archive 2021-22
  • Archive 2019-20
  • Archive 2018-19
  • Archive 2017-18
  • Archive 2016-17
  • Archive 2015-16

  • Home
  • School of Law
  • News

News

Research examines public understanding of hate crime on the island of Ireland

12 December, 2023

Public Understandings of Hate Crime: Ireland, North and South

The study, ‘Public Understandings of Hate Crime: Ireland, North and South project’, was undertaken by academics from the University of Limerick and Queen’s. It was funded by the Irish Research Council New Foundations programme and the Department of An Taoiseach Shared Island initiative. The research was carried out by Professors Amanda Haynes and Jennifer Schweppe of the University of Limerick’s European Centre for the Study of Hate, Professor Ross MacMillan of the University of Limerick’s Department of Sociology, and Dr Kevin J. Brown from the School of Law at Queen’s.

The researchers found that the majority of the public in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland believe hate crime to be a serious problem, with a perception that hate crime is increasing on the island. The general public also understand the direct and indirect harms of hate crime. The majority of the public in both parts of the island appreciate the fact that hate crimes are more likely to have a psychological effect on their victims, and that hate crimes spread fear and isolation among minority communities. A clear majority of the general public perceive current responses to tackling hate crime to be ineffective. Only 18% of the public surveyed in Northern Ireland thought that the PSNI respond effectively to hate crime, whilst only 20% believe that the courts respond effectively.

There is a high level of public support in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the protection of a broad range of characteristics under hate crime legislation. The study also found that there are gaps in public understanding surrounding current hate crime legislation, with the majority of the public in Northern Ireland incorrectly believing that a hate crime will be recorded as such on an individual’s criminal record.

Speaking about the findings, Dr Brown from the School of Law at Queen’s said: “This survey, the first of its kind on an all-island basis, has much to tell us about public views on hate crime. The findings show that a clear majority of the population, North and South, appreciate the harms to victims and wider society that hate motivated criminality can cause. The public perceive current responses to hate to be inadequate and are supportive of changes to allow authorities to more effectively tackle hate. This report provides convincing evidence in support of implementing balanced reforms to challenge hate on both sides of the border.”

The report is the first output of the project and establishes the public’s perception of the prevalence of hate crime on the island of Ireland, the physical and emotional harms of hate crime, the impact on minority communities, reporting mechanisms, and the role of legislation in addressing hate crime. It also measures levels of prejudice against individuals due to their racialised identity, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, disability, community background (in Northern Ireland) as well as other commonly targeted identities.

Photo: Dr Kevin Brown
Dr Kevin Brown
School of Law
View Profile
Share
Latest News
  • School of Law University Tutors 2025/26: Applications Now Open
    19 May, 2025
  • Queen's University SU Awards 2025: School of Law Students and Society Shine
    7 May, 2025
  • Dr Pratyush Nath Upreti Awarded the Royal Asiatic Society’s Surya P. Subedi Prize 2024
    14 April, 2025
  • Supporting Students' Well-being: The Success of Self-Care Boxes for Third-Year Students
    2 April, 2025
  • Dr. Alessandra Guida appointed to the UK Trade and Agriculture Commission by the UK Government
    1 April, 2025
News
  • Archive 2021-22
  • Archive 2019-20
  • Archive 2018-19
  • Archive 2017-18
  • Archive 2016-17
  • Archive 2015-16
QUB Logo
Contact Us

Contact


School Of Law

Main Site Tower
University Square
Belfast BT7 1NN

All Enquiries
  • +44(0)28 90975122
  • law-enquiries@qub.ac.uk

GET DIRECTIONS

Mailing List


Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the School by joining our Mailing List

Quick Links


  • Study
  • Research
  • People
  • About
  • News

Social Media


© Queen's University Belfast 2024
  • Privacy and cookies
  • Website accessibility
  • Freedom of information
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • University Policies and Procedures
Information
  • Privacy and cookies
  • Website accessibility
  • Freedom of information
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • University Policies and Procedures

© Queen's University Belfast 2024

Manage cookies