Alev Ozeroglu’s research while affiliated with University of Northern Iowa and other places

Hate crimes are reprehensible acts driven by animosity and bias against specific target groups, transcending borders and geographical boundaries. Effectively addressing hate crimes necessitates a profound understanding of the victims impacted by prejudice and hostility. To combat crimes rooted in prejudice, it is crucial to delve into the experiences of the victims. A comprehensive understanding of their needs, characteristics, and perspectives becomes paramount for conducting thorough investigations, countering criminal activities, and preventing further victimization. Within this framework, this chapter encompasses the identification of victim groups affected by hate crimes and a detailed exploration of the requisite measures to eradicate victimization. This multifaceted approach aims not only to address the immediate consequences of hate crimes but also to implement proactive strategies that contribute to the prevention of recurrent victimization.

Punishing offenders and the type of punishment to be given has been one of the fundamental questions of criminal law. The concept of punishment has been associated with revenge in history; however, after the 1940s, it has been formed through a different understanding of the idea of rehabilitating offenders and reintegrating them into society. After the 1970s, with the concept of “reparation,” models emerged in which offenders analyze the consequences of the act committed within the scope of restorative justice and display a constructive attitude towards eliminating the damage. Therefore, the understanding of making offenders pay for, atone for, or compensate for the consequences of the act committed, the question of what the punishment given over time or the result of the criminal justice system reveals for offenders has also begun to be asked. At this point, the question asked within the scope of the study is how effective restorative justice models are in reconciling and reintegrating offenders with society.