Hate-Related Victimization in Schools: Examining Risk and Protective Factors

Despite the growing concern over hate crimes nationwide, our understanding of such crimes within educational settings remains limited. The current study aims to address this gap by examining potential risk and protective factors associated with hate-related victimization in schools. Utilizing data from the 2022 NCVS-SCS, we analyzed how various individual and school-related characteristics are associated with the likelihood of hate-related victimization. Findings indicate that being female, having a disability, and belonging to a marginalized racial or ethnic group face a heightened risk of experiencing hate-related victimization. Regarding school-related factors, the presence of misbehaving classmates and drugs in schools increases the risk of hate-related victimization, whereas metal detectors, perceived fairness of school rules, and respectful treatment by teachers reduce the risk. Findings, implications, and future directions are discussed.