Hate crime in transitional societies: the case of South Africa

Abstract

In this chapter the authors examine the nature of hate crime within the context of a post- apartheid project of generating social cohesion and a sense of belonging for all. They provide an overview of current patterns of hate crime - in particular, due to availability of data, those targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people and non-nationals. They also elucidate the challenges that survivors of hate crime face in accessing justice, as well as current government and civil society efforts to respond to and monitor hate crime. The chapter concludes with a reflection on lessons learnt, some of which may be of use to other transitional societies.