Tell MAMA published a November 2018 report (pdf) to understand post ‘trigger event’ hate incident patterns with a specific focus on the anomalous data following, the Westminster terror attack (22nd March 2017).
The report finds:
- Following a ‘trigger event’ there is a spike in hate incidents which normally occurs between 24-48 hours online and 48-72 hours offline
- The prevalence and severity of the hate incidents are influenced by government, media and police responses to the ‘trigger event’
- When the ‘trigger event’ is a terrorist attack the target chosen also appears to play a significant role in the prevalence and severity of hate incidents that follow
The report recommends:
- Government and political parties should provide clear leadership and a distinctive counter-narrative to anti Muslim sentiments following a potential trigger event
- All Police Services should implement the National 14-Day Plan in the immediate aftermath of a potential trigger event
- Social media companies should enforce a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards posts that incite hate.
