RACIST VIOLENCE IN 15 EU MEMBER STATES - Cospe

RACIST VIOLENCE IN 15 EU MEMBER STATES - A Comparative Overview of Findings from the RAXEN NFP Reports 2001-2004
21. Responses to Racist Violence by
Member States
21.1. STUMBLING BLOCKS TO EFFECTIVE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE RESPONSES
21.1.1. Non-reporting and non-recording
Looking at the country profiles, and the summary of research findings in the
previous chapter, it is clear that there is a real dearth of comprehensive official and
unofficial information on the extent and nature of racist violence in the old 15 EU
Member States. As outlined in Part I, Chapter Three, the reasons for this lack of
data are manifest.
At one level, many jurisdictions have not given the reporting, recording and
monitoring of racist violence much significance. While some Member States, such
as Austria and Germany, place great weight on monitoring the activities of extreme
right-wing organisations, which can include acts of racist violence, this approach
does not capture the full range of violent racism. By focusing on the activities of
certain groups, the everyday realities of violent racism, as perpetrated by people
who are not affiliated to extremist groups and, in particular, young people and
children, can be overlooked.
At another level, but connected to the first, is the simple fact that victims of racist
violence do not report their experiences of victimisation to the police. If police
cultures do not proactively pursue a ‘victim friendly’ service, and one which is
geared to the needs of particular groups such as victims of racist violence, victims
will not feel encouraged to report their victimisation.
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