Yesterday, Statistics Canada released their 2019 annual report on police-reported hate crimes. While the figures are grim, they are nowhere near surprising. Police-reported hate crimes targeting sexual orientation and East & Southeast Asian populations were more often violent than not (StatCan, 2021). Coupled with the rise in anti-Asian racism across North America, government and community players need to be more proactive in addressing these ongoing crises. Between 2018 and 2019, 41% more hate crimes against 2SLGBTQI people were reported to the police. Over half (53%) of those reported crimes were violent - and that’s in spite of the fact that members of the 2SLGBTQI community are less likely to report violent incidents to the police than other Canadians (StatCan, 2021). With 2SLGBTQI communities witnessing a record-high number of hate crimes in 2019, the Canadian government and community need to be more proactive in addressing these incidents targeting sexual orientation and gender minority communities. Every year the data paints the same picture, yet there is an inadequate response from the Canadian Government on how to address this violence in a meaningful way. In line with the rise in anti-Asian racism both here in Canada, and the United States, those living at the intersection of being 2SLGBTQI, Asian Canadian and an immigrant, while confronting a surge in anti-Asian hate and violence are facing a battle on many fronts to live openly and safely. Egale’s research on the impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s 2SLGBTQI has demonstrated the ways in which the physical and mental well-being of BIPOC communities, in particular, are acutely affected. Hate, violence, harassment and bullying has a profound impact on the well-being of our communities. Learn more and read our full statements on Anti-Asian Racism following the Atlanta Shootings, and the record-high number of hate crimes targeting sexual orientation in 2019. |
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Helen Kennedy, Executive Director |
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