Conducted as part of the KIRAS security research program, the study provides a detailed analysis of how prejudices against specific social groups lead to discrimination and criminal acts and outlines the challenges in recording these offenses.
Key Findings of the Study
Authors Hermann Kuschej, Kira Abstiens, Lucas Meyer, Florian Spitzer, and Günter Stummvoll analyzed both police-reported cases ("Hellfeld") and unreported incidents ("Dunkelfeld"). The results highlight a significant gap: while the official Austrian police monitoring system (implemented in 2021) has improved data quality, a large share of discrimination and assaults remains hidden.
In the official police records, the most frequently documented motives include racism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance, while the "Dunkelfeld" is dominated by misogynistic motives. The study emphasizes that victims often hesitate to report incidents—either due to a lack of trust in authorities or insufficient knowledge of their legal rights.
Options for Action
The report provides an essential evidence base for crime policy and preventive measures. Among other measures, the researchers recommend a focus on young people, for example through preventive work in schools and the expansion of support services for victims to encourage reporting and better protect vulnerable groups.
The full report is now available for download in the IHS repository (IRIHS).