Hate crimes as crimes against dignity

Neller, Jennifer ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4329-8655 (2023) Hate crimes as crimes against dignity. In: British Society of Criminology, Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice, 27 June 2023 - 30 June 2023, University of Central Lancashire.

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Abstract

When hate crime laws are criticised for being ineffective, it is often because they do not result in many convictions. However, the main consequences of a conviction for a hate crime is an increased financial or carceral penalty. This paper explores whether it is possible to reconcile hate crime law with abolitionist perspectives that contest the efficacy of such responses. In particular, I examine the potential for a dignity-centred approach to reframe how hate crime law is understood, in terms of the purpose of such legislation, its corresponding scope and its relationship with other areas of law. Ultimately, I suggest that framing hate crimes as crimes against dignity could prompt ‘non-reformist reforms’ that move us towards greater alignment with abolitionist ideals.