Check out this new article published by Chunrye Kim, Hyeyoung Lim, and Claire Seungeun Lee, titled “Hate/bias crime against racial/ethnic minorities in the United States: A systematic review of empirical research and assessment of next steps.” The article explores how hate crimes against racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, have been studied from 2000 to 2022.
The primary aim of the study is to assess the state of empirical research on hate/bias crimes against these groups, with a secondary focus on identifying trends in hate crimes against Asians, which surged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors also examine which theoretical frameworks have guided this research and highlight gaps in the literature, particularly in terms of policy recommendations.
The methodology involved a systematic review of 26 empirical studies selected through rigorous inclusion criteria. To be included, studies had to be peer-reviewed, published in English between 2000 and 2022, and focused on hate/bias crimes against racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S. The authors excluded studies that looked at discrimination, microaggressions, or non-criminal bias. The majority of the studies reviewed used cross-sectional quantitative methods, often relying on secondary datasets such as the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), and the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS).
Key findings reveal a sharp increase in hate crime research after 2021, especially on hate crimes against Asians, although there was a significant lack of such studies before the pandemic. Most studies focused on multiple minority groups and used theoretical frameworks like minority threat theory, social disorganisation theory, and intergroup contact theory. There was a notable absence of qualitative research that could offer a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding hate crimes.
Policy implications from this review stress the importance of expanding hate crime research beyond criminology journals to include perspectives from public health and economics, given the broad societal impact of hate crimes. Additionally, the authors call for future research to address the gaps in policy recommendations and propose strategies for preventing hate crimes and mitigating their consequences on affected communities.