New University film, 'Revisiting the Harms of Hate', available now

The sequel to a celebrated short film, produced by University of Leicester, exploring the impact of hate crime is now available to watch.

'Revisiting the Harms of Hate' follows the lives of four individuals, all from Leicester, who have experienced hate as part of their daily lives. The film, which has been created by Professor Neil Chakraborti and the University of Leicester in-house video team, with the support of the Leverhulme Trust, follows on from the award-winning short film, 'Harms of Hate'.

Professor Chakraborti is the Director of the Centre for Hate Studies and a criminologist who has extensively researched hate crime, targeted hostility and violence against minorities.

'Revisiting the Harms of Hate' examines the ways in which people from a range of different backgrounds can be affected by hostile behaviours. The film's participants speak candidly about their own experiences, and discuss how these experiences have left them feeling more fearful, more vulnerable and more aware of their own sense of ‘difference’ than ever before.

The consensus amongst the participants of the film is that the impact of hate crime has worsened in recent years.

In the decade since the original 'Harms of Hate' film was released, the number of hate crimes recorded in England and Wales has more than tripled.

Professor Chakraborti said: “Our research at the Centre for Hate Studies has highlighted the damaging impacts of hate crime and the alarming lack of effective support available for victims.

“This all too evident within the human stories that are showcased within this film. Hate incidents are encountered on a repeat basis by countless people from disadvantaged and disconnected communities, to the point where they become an unwanted but routine feature of living in a hostile climate”.

The film premiered at Phoenix Cinema, Leicester on Wednesday, 8 November 2023. It is now freely available to watch on the University of Leicester’s YouTube channel.