Hate crimes against Afro-Swedes occur in many different contexts – on streets, squares and public transport, but also in schools and in the workplace.
Many times it is a completely unknown perpetrator, but it can also be people you meet on a daily basis, such as neighbours, colleagues and schoolmates. This is what Lisa Wallin, an investigator at Brå, who together with podcaster Nicole Kavander is a guest on SVT’s Morgonstudio.
– There are really few protected places where you never have a risk of being exposed to this type of crime, says Wallin and refers to the results from the Brå report.
The report is based on an examination of roughly 430 cases reported to the police regarding Afrophobic hate crimes, as well as interviews with crime suspects.
Men more often perpetrators
In six out of ten reports, men are the perpetrators. However, there is no big gender difference between women’s and men’s vulnerability to Afrophobic hate crimes, according to the reports that Brå has reviewed.
In just over a quarter of the reports where the plaintiff was a woman, there were sexualized or misogynistic expressions. Instead, men have been more often exposed in their professional role.
– Serious violence and hate crimes are one dimension, but then you have these microaggressions and the experience of discrimination that is noticeable in the investigation and affects the health of Afro-Swedes, says Lisa Wallin.
Minority stress a common consequence
A common consequence of being particularly exposed to hate crimes is that many Afro-Swedes and Swedes with a foreign background experience minority stress. It is caused by always having to be prepared for something to happen, but also by not feeling safe, whether at home or at school or at work, says Kavander.
In addition, she points out that there are few who believe that something is being done against hate crimes and therefore do not report them.
– Unfortunately, few reports lead to convictions, agrees Lisa Wallin. Despite that, she urges reporting hate crimes.
Large number of darkness – Important to report
Reporting a hate crime is important to be able to map hate crimes and work on prevention – and in this the school and the employer have a special responsibility, says Lisa Wallin.
– What often happens is that you question or minimize the situation. Then it is important to understand, listen, and support in reporting, adds Kavander.