This project will investigate the scale, nature and causes of three distinct but related forms of post-conflict social violence in Northern Ireland. Racial, homophobic and sectarian violence and harassment all appear to have been increasing in Northern Ireland in recent years. While the victims can be grouped in clear and distinctive categories, they can also be broadly grouped in a larger category which in the USA is called ‘hate crime’.

Information on each of these topics is scarce at present: the RUC have been publishing data on racial incidents since 1996 and a preliminary study of these was completed in April 2001, see www.research.ofmdfmni.gov.uk for the full report. The police have also collected statistics on homophobic harassment since July 2000. Data on sectarian violence and harassment is not currently isolated from broader police statistics, although figures for some forms of sectarian attacks can be identified. The available information shows that the numbers of racial incidents has almost doubled in each of the past four years, that homophobic attacks are a growing problem and it is well known that sectarian violence is a constant problem in Northern Ireland.

Finally it will review the existing policy responses to these problems and draw on experiences and review policy responses to such incidents in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere to recommend improvements to practical responses to these problems.

Reports published to date:

Neil Jarman and Alex Tennant (2003). An Acceptable Prejudice? Homophobic Violence and Harrassment in Northern Ireland. Belfast, ICR. ISBN 0-9541898-3-3.

Homophobic Questionnaire is available in PDF format and can be downloaded by using the PDF symbol.