The legal phrase “hate crime” is broad and includes a wide range of motivations, offenders, victims, behaviors, and consequences. A number of persons and groups have been identified by research as being particularly vulnerable to hate crimes. These include those who identify as Indigenous and people who are targeted due to their color, ethnicity, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental handicap, or an intersection of several identities. Hate crimes have an impact on the greater community in addition to the specific victims. Additionally, the effects of hate crimes extend well beyond a single incidence, and they are especially alarming since they:
- can have uniquely violent and assaultive characteristics
- cause trauma to victims, family, and friends
- can cause fear of being targeted for future crimes
- can escalate and prompt retaliation
- can foster community unrest
- threaten national values of tolerance and inclusion
https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and-manuals/hate-crimes-and-incidents-canada