3 days ago
Hate crime low in Dungannon but stats may show underreporting
The impact of targeted hate crimes often leaves victims feeling traumatised, bereft, fearful and intimidated in their own homes and workplaces – that's according to Victim Support NI Hate Crime Project Manager, Michael Avila.
On a visit to Reach food bank in Dungannon last week, Mr. Avila and his colleague, Dawn McCartney, met with volunteers and service users to discuss the effect of hate crimes on victims and their families, and how to access support.
Despite Dungannon being one of the most diverse towns in Northern Ireland, the rate of hate crime per capita in the Mid Ulster policing area is among the lowest in Northern Ireland, with the lowest rate in the Fermanagh and Omagh policing area.
However, Mr. Avila believes the statistics may not tell the full story.
'In many ways, Mid Ulster is one of NI's councils exhibiting best practice when it comes to integration and fostering good relations between different communities,' he told The Impartial Reporter.
'In the last three financial years, we have had 41 referrals with a Dungannon address. This amounts to 13.7 referrals per year from Dungannon. This is very good when we compare it to other areas with high ethnic diversity. However, I don't doubt that there is underreporting.'
He added: 'When we see a spike in referrals, it could either be that hate crimes have increased or that more crimes are being reported. When it's lower, it could be that people feel less likely to come forward.'
Language barriers, education levels, service gaps and understanding of local laws could all contribute to underreporting.
'In an area where many migrants are working in factories, people may find it harder to report crimes. Whereas in other parts of NI, more migrants may be working in health or the private sector, which may attract migrants with higher English and education levels who may find the reporting process easier,' he said.
Hate crime is defined as any incident perceived to have been committed against a person or property on the grounds of a person's ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability.
Victim Support NI recognises that these crimes can happen anywhere – at home, in public, or at school or work – and may involve threats, verbal abuse, arson, robbery, violence, or damage to property.
Mr. Avila explained that hate crime often begins with 'a slur or a small act of intimidation' but the effects can be long-lasting, particularly if someone has been repeatedly targeted.
'Paranoia is something we see often, but it's a realistic paranoia. If someone is being intimidated in their own home, where most people find peace, they can't experience that. It always plays on their minds,' he said.
'Hate crime leaves people feeling frustrated, fearful, and it can affect their mental health. These types of crimes can be very traumatic, especially as people are likely to be targeted repeatedly because of their identity.
In 2023/24, Victim Support NI received 1,013 referrals across Northern Ireland. That rose to 1,369 in 2024/25. Of the 356 increase, more than 300 were racially motivated.
Mr. Avila said: 'The riots in Belfast last August accounted for some of the increase but, even if you were to remove that month, racial hate crime has seen a vast increase in the last 3–5 years.'
He added: 'Hate crimes have officially been recorded since 2004 and, because of the peace process, we've seen sectarianism decrease over time but as Northern Ireland has become more diverse, race has taken its place.
'Immigration is blamed for a lack of housing, but there would still be a housing crisis without immigration.
Minority ethnic businesses remain vulnerable, with housing intimidation and anti-social behaviour on the rise, sometimes orchestrated by paramilitaries. Michael said depleted PSNI neighbourhood teams, alongside a need for education and restorative justice, add to the problem.
Support Available
Victim Support NI offers assistance regardless of whether an incident has been reported to police.
Mr. Avila said: 'From the moment they report an incident to the charity, to all the way through the criminal justice system, victims can receive practical and emotional support. From follow-ups with police, housing issues, signposting to other organisations, after-court support, including complaints, compensation claims, we can help. We are able to move things for people, and we've seen hundreds of people re-homed from extreme situations.
'We see things from the victim's point of view. The criminal justice system is interested in justice and concentrates on the perpetrator, so we focus on the victim and help them navigate the justice system, which can be quite a cold process.
'In the 1,013 referrals we received last year, only 34 were being considered for trial and, only at the point of conviction does the judge ask if there is hate motivation. We don't really have hate crime laws here, we have hate sentencing laws though new legislation is to be tabled at the end of this year with a new statutory aggravation model which should open things up a bit.'
Reach food bank manager Ally Moore added:'It is essential that anyone who has been a victim of hate crime has access to this free service that provides guidance and reassurance through all the police and court proceedings. The people from the hate crime advocate service have a wealth of knowledge that can help put the victim's mind at ease and enable them to know that they are not on their own.'
