Invisible Scars: Understanding the Experiences of Hate Crime Among Chinese Residents in Edinburgh

This study investigates the definition of hate crime and the experiences of Chinese residents in Edinburgh who have faced such incidents post-COVID-19, giving voice to this marginalised group's ‘invisible scars’. It explores the underlying dynamics of hate crimes, emphasising the process of ‘othering’ or ‘differentiation’ based on victim vulnerabilities, often intertwined with offenders’ feelings of anxiety and fear about their life conditions. Specifically, the research reveals the tendency of Chinese individuals to underreport hate crimes, especially microaggressions – victims’ possibility of reporting is highly linked with the perceived personal impact of the offence. Furthermore, the study examines the reasons behind this reluctance to report, such as the perceived imbalance between the costs and benefits of reporting, a normalisation process, lack of familiarity with hate crime laws and legal procedures, and negative perceptions of the police.