Semi Annual Hate Crimes data showing a 6% increase in reporting to police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 6, 2022   11:15 am 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Hate and Bias Crime Unit released its Semi Annual statistics showing an increase of approximately 6% in hate crime reports in 2022 – from 122 cases to 129 compared to the same time last year. 

The Service received 164 hate crimes reports, of which 129 were deemed to be criminal in nature.

In 2022, 21 individuals have been charged with 74 counts of various hate/bias motivated criminal offences.

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 to date in 2022 are:

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

The groups most victimized are:

• Jewish
• Black
• LGBTQ+
• Arab and West Asian
• East and South Asian

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate-motivated crime, please report it to the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222, ext. 7300 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