ISTSS Releases Paper on the Trauma of Hate-Based Violence

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies has released a briefing paper on the trauma of hate-based violence, reviewing existing research on its impacts and evaluating the mental health needs of targeted survivors and communities.

Hate-based violence is defined as violence against a person that is motivated by bias and prejudice against that person’s perceived group membership, which may include race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or other personal characteristics.

ISTSS recommends a number of actions to improve knowledge of the trauma associated with hate-based violence, including:

  • Important stakeholders such as law enforcements, first responders, legal and justice system professionals, and health personnel should be trained in culturally responsive, trauma-informed methods of responding to hate-based victimization;
  • Community-based educational and awareness-raising programs outlining the traumatic impact of experiencing hate-based violence should be developed and implemented in order to increase awareness and to support survivors in accessing recovery services, including programming highlighting the importance of diversity, tolerance and the prevention of the precursors of violence (e.g. prejudice-based stereotypes, discrimination and hate-speech);
  • Evidence-based psychological therapies adapted to engage and effectively assist survivors of hate-based violence should be made widely available and accessible to affected persons and groups;
  • Trauma-informed mental health training, programs and resources should be made available to professionals to aid in identifying, evaluating and effectively treating those impacted by hate-based violence.

Click here to read the full briefing paper.