Perceptions on Hate Speech Victimisation among University Students
Sevgi Çoban · 2012
Race, nationality, religion, gender and sexual orientation are the most frequent targets of hate. There are many other categories such as nationality, disability, gender, ancestry, political affiliation, age, marital status, union membership, economic or social status. On campuses, cultural diversity sets the stage for cultural encounters. In this chapter, following Gerstenfeld’s perspective, victimisation arising from various forms of hate can range from violence and intimidation, to new forms of hate such as the online and implicit forms experienced by students in this study. The study was conducted at a university campus. This campus is the most diverse national university in the United States. A survey of exposure to various kinds of hate speech was conducted among 100 criminal justice students. Twenty nine students reported on victimisation because of their race, nationality, religion, gender and sexual orientation, among other reasons. Seventeen of the incidents were verbal/online/implicit while others were against victims or property.