Combating Hate Victimisation: Current and Future Contributions from Organised Psychology in Global and African Settings

Hate victimisation remains a significant global and South African concern, inflicting wide-ranging psychological, social, and cultural harms. Responses dominated by criminal justice systems have prioritised punitive measures, often neglecting the systemic and psychosocial drivers of hate. Psychology, with its traditions in peace psychology, liberation psychology, and critical community engagement, is uniquely positioned to advance prevention, provide restorative support, and shape advocacy. Yet, the discipline lacks a coherent framework for sustained organisational action. This study addressed the question: What role does psychology currently play, and what role could it play, in combating hate victimisation through science, practice, and advocacy? Adopting a qualitative, constructivist design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 leaders from four national and two international psychology organisations, supplemented by three expert informants, alongside a systematic review of organisational documents and public statements. Data were analysed thematically, employing inductive–deductive coding and reflexive practices, triangulated with documentary sources. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) the necessity of systemic and multidisciplinary approaches, (2) organisational and leadership challenges, and (3) the evolving yet underdeveloped role of psychology in hate studies as a scientific authority, professional practice, and advocacy force. Document review revealed uneven commitment to hate victimisation, while expert perspectives highlighted psychology’s lagging but critical potential. These findings informed a proposed framework, outlining four contexts through which psychology can address hate victimisation. The study highlights psychology’s fragmented engagement in hate studies yet underscores its potential to advance inclusive, evidence-based frameworks that unite psychological science with social justice through organised discipline-wide action.