“Rising Anti-Homeless Violence: Is it Time to Recognize It as a Hate Crime?”
Hate crime is becoming an increasingly significant issue in Canada. This includes crimes committed out of animosity, bias, or hate towards some aspect of a victim’s identity. In Canada, recent reports have shown a spike in hate-motivated violence against unhoused individuals. However, the challenge arises from the fact that these individuals are not recognized as a protected class under the law. According to Canadian hate crime legislation, only those from “identifiable groups” based on prohibited grounds such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, language, age, and disability are considered victims of hate-motivated crimes. Unhoused people, unfortunately, do not definitively fit into these groups, which leads to the hate directed toward them often being ignored. Let’s take a closer look at the rising anti-homeless violence and its profound impact on individuals experiencing homelessness.
The Reality of Unhoused Individuals
A recent study conducted in Lethbridge, Alberta, revealed some alarming facts about anti-homeless violence. The study involved interviews and interactions with 50 unhoused individuals, 34 of whom were Indigenous. It was estimated that approximately 450 people are unhoused in Lethbridge, and due to historical and ongoing colonial oppression, a significant proportion of them are Indigenous. Additionally, the research indicated that poverty, specifically homelessness, significantly increases a person’s vulnerability to being victimized by hate crimes. This cumulative risk of hate crime victimization highlights the dire situation that unhoused individuals often find themselves in.
The Threat of Anti-Homeless Hate Crime
The study in Lethbridge uncovered a disturbing trend of violence targeted towards unhoused individuals, especially Indigenous women, by a group known as the “White Gorillas.” These attacks were motivated by anti-homeless sentiments and spread fear throughout the unhoused community. The routine nature of these attacks caused immense stress and resulted in the development of safety strategies by unhoused individuals. However, these measures were often seen as futile, as they faced significant challenges in protecting themselves due to the nature of their living conditions. Additionally, reports of these hate crimes to local authorities often yielded disinterest and inaction, further perpetuating the vulnerability of unhoused individuals.
Recognizing Anti-Homeless Violence as a Hate Crime
The Canadian Human Rights Commission has called for the acknowledgment of anti-homeless violence as a hate crime, pushing for the recognition of unhoused individuals as a protected class under Canadian law. This designation would place pressure on cities to address housing insecurity and prompt law enforcement to track and investigate anti-homeless violence. However, combating this issue requires not only legal recognition but also tangible actions to support the unhoused population. The provision of secure and permanent housing, along with efforts to reduce biases against unhoused individuals, is imperative to safeguarding their well-being.
In Conclusion
Addressing the rising trend of anti-homeless violence requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, recognizing anti-homeless violence as a hate crime is essential to provide legal protection and prompt action from authorities. Additionally, prioritizing the provision of safe and permanent housing, coupled with efforts to diminish biases against unhoused individuals, is crucial in ensuring their safety. Ultimately, the onus lies on the government and society as a whole to address the intersecting issues of homelessness and discrimination, thereby creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all individuals.
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