Sharp Increase in Recorded "Hate Crimes"

The number of recorded "hate crimes" increased significantly last year. According to the hate crime report for 2024, the police registered 6,786 bias-motivated crimes, which is about 20 percent more than in 2023 (5,668). The most common motive was once again ideology, with a 45 percent increase in mentions, marking the largest rise. This motive was documented 3,935 times in 2024. The clearance rate for hate crimes remained roughly the same at 67 percent.

Numerous Bias Motives

According to the report published by the Ministry of the Interior on Tuesday, a total of 7,614 bias motives were documented, as a crime can have multiple motives. After ideology, the most common motive was national or ethnic origin (1,581 times), followed by religion (763), skin color (417), and sexual orientation (317). The latter was 29 percent less common as a motive in 2024 than in 2023. Among the motives, gender was mentioned 238 times, social status 136 times, disabilities 125 times, and age 102 times.

Among the most common offenses were violations of the Prohibition Act (2,952 motives), followed by property damage (1,396), bodily harm (661), incitement (599), and dangerous threats (506). A total of 1,619 people - 63 percent of them men - were victims of violence-related hate crime. The dominant motive was national or ethnic origin.

Suspects Mostly Male

Compared to the total number of all suspects, the suspects were more often minors, as in previous years. Additionally, 86 percent of the suspects were men - more than in overall crime (78 percent men). The proportion of foreign nationals among the suspects is relatively low - 26 percent in hate crimes, compared to 47 percent in overall crime. For example, in three out of five crimes with misogynistic motives, Austrians were suspected. Only in age and anti-Muslim bias were the numbers of Austrian and foreign suspects nearly balanced.

Relative to the residential population, Salzburg, Vienna, and Carinthia had the most bias motives, while Burgenland had the fewest. A quarter occurred in public spaces, about seven percent in private. However, the private space predominates in misogynistic offenses. The "Trans" motive was mainly committed in public spaces, with bodily harm (10 motives), dangerous threats, and property damage being registered. For "Diverse/Inter," incitement (6 motives) was most common.

The most common crime scene with nearly 2,000 prejudice motives was the internet - three-quarters of which were violations of the Prohibition Act. Every second racist motive was also recorded online. Among the anti-religious hate postings, two-thirds were anti-Semitic and one-third anti-Muslim.

Warning from the Interior Minister

"The recent cases of the network uncovered in March 2025 also show how quickly incitement can escalate into real violence," warned Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) in a foreword to the report. During a raid, several people were arrested who allegedly robbed, injured, and humiliated their victims - homosexuals whom they falsely accused of pedophilia. On the other hand, "the effect of the long-standing nationwide training and the systematic investigation and prevention work of the police is visible," said Karner. According to the report, homophobic motives are recorded the most strongly and consist - similar to bisexuality - of more than a quarter of bodily injuries.

Hate Crime Report Still Young - Action Plan Adopted

Hate crimes have been recorded separately since 2020, and the annual report has been available since 2022. Crimes whose police investigations are completed are included.

In response to the attacks in the spring, the National Council adopted a National Action Plan against Hate Crimes. Already a demand of the SPÖ for years, their equality spokesperson Mario Lindner is urging rapid implementation in light of the figures published today by the BMI: "We cannot ignore that hate crimes have been increasing for years. Every person deserves a safe and self-determined life!" he is quoted in a statement. He also sees a great need for action regarding the high number of unreported hate crimes. Therefore, the focus of the National Action Plan must also be on the areas of prevention and building trust with the executive.

(APA/Red)

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