Hate speech

Hate speech, also known as hate speech, refers to the dissemination of discriminatory, insulting or inflammatory statements against certain people or groups - often via social media, but also in the direct environment. It aims to demean people on the basis of their origin, religion, gender, sexual identity or other characteristics.

Hate speech often affects groups of people who already experience discrimination, including people with a migration background, religious communities, women, LGBTQIA+ people and politically and socially engaged people. Journalists and public figures are also often victims of hate speech.

Those affected by hate speech do not have to remain alone. There are various contact points in North Rhine-Westphalia that offer advice and support:

• www.opferberatung-rheinland.de
• www.backup-nrw.org
• www.zac.nrw.de
• www.hateaid.org