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Guide – How to support victims of hate crimes
The publication serves as a practical guide for organizations supporting people exposed to bias-motivated crimes. It contains a structured set of information, guidelines, and action frameworks that help prepare for situations in which a victim seeks assistance—and how to respond appropriately.
The publication provides a step-by-step guide through the process of offering support: from the first contact with the victim, through organizing psychological, legal, medical, and material assistance, to cooperation with external institutions. Particular emphasis is placed on solutions that can be implemented even with limited organizational resources, as well as on safeguarding the well-being of those providing support.
The publication is based on the current structure of the support system for victims of crime in Poland (data up to 10 January 2023) and is designed as a practical tool that can be further developed alongside changes in the system.
A key element of the publication is its extensive annexes, which go beyond the descriptive section and offer concrete, ready-to-use solutions. These include, among others, a framework for developing a support model, an example support model for people experiencing discrimination or hate crimes, as well as compilations of institutions, publications, and the rights and obligations of victims. As a result, the publication not only explains how to act, but also provides tools that can be directly implemented in practice.
It is a comprehensive support tool for organizations that want to act in a more systemic, effective, and responsible way in addressing bias-motivated violence.
Table of contents
- Who is this guide intended for?
A victim reaches out – what now?- Institutional help
- How to provide psychological help?
- How to provide medical help?
- How to provide legal help?
- How to provide material support?
- How to proivde practical help?
- How to support when reporting a crime?
- How to support the “helpers”?
- What are the standards for supporting victims of hate crimes?
Attachments:
- Framework for creating a support model for victims of hate crimes
- Support model for individuals experiencing discrimination and/or victims of hate crimes
- List of organizations/ institutions
- List of publications on supporting victims of hate crimes
- Rights and duties of the victim in criminal proceedings
Cooperation and support
The publication was created as part of the project “Integrated System for Monitoring Antisemitic Crimes and Hate Speech, as well as Providing Assistance and Support for Members of the Jewish Community.” The project is being implemented by the Jewish Association Czulent and the Jewish Religious Community in Warsaw.
The project is funded by the European Union under the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Program for 2014-2020, as well as the Foundation “Memory, Responsibility, and Future” (EVZ).