On Anti-Asian Hate Crime
KSTSS Statement on Anti-Asian Hate Crime
Urgent request to develop fundamental and detailed prevention measurements as well as adequate follow-up of hate crimes against Asians.
The Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies expresses condolences to the victims of the crime while sending comfort and support to the survivors. With the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes against Asians are rapidly increasing in the United States and worldwide. Fear and anxiety amid the pandemic can take the form of hatred and anger toward a specific racial group. However, hate and stigma have adverse effects on post-traumatic reaction and mental health, including anxiety, depression, suicidality, and substance abuse, which is not helpful in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis. Increased Anti-Asian hate crimes have raised serious concerns about a potential deterioration in the mental health of individuals and society. We urge the Governments and relevant institutions of each country to take concrete actions and exert efforts to prevent such tragic incidents and respond promptly and appropriately. We specifically call for the following measures.
First, the authorities should thoroughly investigate the hate crimes against Asians while actively protecting and supporting the victims.
The rate of reporting and investigation of hate crimes against ethnic minorities is extremely low. Some police officers' discriminatory language and attitude towards people of color and language barrier, limited legal knowledge, and cultural difference make victims avoid self-disclosure. In fact, the report rate of the Asian victims is known to be the lowest. As a result, a large number of hate crimes against Asians are unknown. First of all, the government should establish a proactive training and reporting system for the police to enhance the sensitivity to the human rights of minorities. Furthermore, linguistic, administrative, and legal support to assist the victim's reporting, together with the appropriate protection and response, are required. Racism can cause mental health issues such as suicide, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse in victims. Thus, the government must provide mental health services for the victims to efficiently recover from the psychological trauma.
Second, proactive promotion, training, and management system must be established to prevent hatred and aversion against other ethnic groups, including Asians.
Racist comments by some politicians and xenophobic stigma against foreigners at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic stimulated the aged aversion against immigrants, which resulted in a recent increase in hate crimes against Asians. Such racial hatred and aversion are against humanity, leaving irreparable wounds to the victims, their family members, and society. For this very reason, we need to eradicate racism, stigma, sentiments against immigrants, and prejudice against Asians through proactive and continued training and promotion. Detailed activities and programs of acknowledging and embracing various races will improve the awareness and the perception of the general public. In particular, programs by the Asian support groups must be encouraged, and organizations protecting and studying the victims of hate crimes against Asians must be provided with financial and administrative supports. We urge that the negative political activities and inflammatory media reports against minorities, including Asians, should be further monitored and controlled.
Third, comprehensive research on the hate crimes against Asians is needed to provide a better understanding and implications for policy and practice.
Despite the alarming rate of increase in hate crimes against Asians, the researchers have focused only on hate crimes against African Americans and Hispanics. Yet, research on the nature, traits, and circumstances of the hate crimes against victims among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US is remarkably insufficient. Research on critical factors of hate crime against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will become the primary resources in preventing and developing countermeasures against hate crimes. It will expand our knowledge and understanding of various ethnic groups, diverse cultural traditions, and social issues. Furthermore, it will become the foundation for enhanced awareness of cultural diversity and mutual respect.
May 21, 2021
Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
이 글은 한국트라우마스트레스학회에서 아시아인 증오 범죄에 대해 발표한 성명서의 영문판입니다.
KSTSS: Statement on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
정찬승
정신건강의학과 전문의
융학파 분석가
대한신경정신의학회 재난정신건강위원회 홍보국장
한국트라우마스트레스학회 홍보위원장
마음드림의원 원장
