Semi Annual Hate Crimes data showing a 32% increase in reporting to police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 30, 2021   2:15pm 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Hate and Bias Crime Unit released its Semi Annual statistics showing an increase of 32.9% in hate crime reports in 2021 – from 79 cases to 105 cases – compared to the same time last year.

As well, the Unit determined that 73 reported incidents this year were hate-motivated, this represents an increase of 25.9% from 2020.

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by hate/bias or prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or other similar factor.

The most serious violations seen in 2021 are:

• Mischief to property
• Mischief Hate (culture/religion based)
• Threats/utter to person
• Assault with weapon

The groups most victimized are:

• Black
• Jewish
• LGBTQ+
• Arab and West Asian
• Catholic

Last year, hate crimes reports were up by 56.9% - from 116 cases reported in 2019 to 182 cases reported in 2020. 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate-motivated crime, please report it to the Ottawa Police Hate and Bias Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015 or online.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca 

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CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366