Haters gonna hate? Exploring hate incidents victimization, perpetration, and victim–offender overlap in online gaming communities in Spain

Hate crimes and social victimization within online gaming environments have received increasing attention due to their potential psychological and social impact. This study, conducted within the framework of a major research project, examines the prevalence of victimization and perpetration of hate crimes in online video games and related communities, as well as the overlap between victim and offender roles. Using survey data from 1812 Spanish adult gamers, we analyze experiences of hate victimization and perpetration based on race, gender/sexuality, and political ideology. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of players report being subjected to hate-based insults, with political and racial victimization being the most frequent. Perpetration rates are significantly lower but show strong associations between different types of offenses. Moreover, the study identifies a significant victim–offender overlap, showing that individuals who experience victimization are more likely to engage in perpetration. These findings underscore the cyclical nature of online hate behaviors and highlight the need for targeted interventions to address both victimization and perpetration within gaming communities.