Alarming statistics from a recent study have revealed that a majority of AANHPI individuals in Seattle are concerned about their safety.

A recent study conducted by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) reports that nearly 72% of AANHPI individuals in the Seattle area have altered their daily routines out of fear of racial targeting.

This fear is not unfounded; With reports of nearly 2 in 5 Asian Americans being a victim of a hate crime in the past year, racialized attacks are on the rise in Seattle.

Out of the 1,000 individuals surveyed in the study, 30% reported experiencing verbal attacks, 24% faced harassment or threats, and 20% were physically assaulted.

Additionally, Fox 13 Seattle reports that Asian families are increasingly being targeted in home invasions from Kent to South Seattle.

With the AANHPI community comprising roughly 16% of Seattle’s population, these harrowing numbers allude to public safety being of great concern among Asian American locals.

In a gathering of community leaders in Seattle’s Little Saigon to assess the data and draft a plan of action, Quynh Pham, Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon, noted how this has been an ongoing issue that has only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Fox 13 Seattle.

“Little Saigon is feeling the brunt of some of the safety issues in the downtown core,” Pham said. “We’re at a tipping point for this neighborhood.”

The threat of violence has altered daily life for such locals. Data reports that 40% of respondents now avoid going out late at night. Furthermore, 22% of individuals reported avoiding speaking their native language in public spaces, in fear of attracting unwanted attention.

This concerning data sounded the alarm for change within the community. TAAF reports that 76% of AANHPIs believe that better relations with law enforcement are necessary to combat anti-Asian hate. With only 46% of individuals who experienced anti-Asian crimes reporting them to anyone, and even fewer reaching out to community organizations or law enforcement, relations with the police force are a pressing issue.

In this effort to improve relations with police, experts call for improvements in language access to emergency services in order to break any language barriers, ensuring effective communication for all communities.

Furthermore, TAAF calls for Seattle community and government stakeholders to secure the necessary funding to provide resources to combat Asian hate. Among the resources considered crucial to Asian Americans are: legal services (74%), mental health services (74%), senior services (72%), youth activities (72%), and community engagement activities (68%).

Almost half of the respondents believe that improved city infrastructure, such as better lighting and public transportation, and reforms to the city’s allocation of resources would significantly enhance their sense of security.

As the AANHPI community grapples with these ongoing hate crimes, the need for collective action has never been more critical. In this report, TAAF hopes to bring to light and transform these harrowing statistics into a catalyst for meaningful action towards a safer environment for all.

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Please support our fundraisers.  Purchase your tickets to a Night of Hilarity- a fun conversation with comedienne Jiaoying Summers and ABC7/KABC anchor David Ono to be held October 9 in Los Angeles.

 Then join us for a stimulating conference about issues that divide the Asian American communities. Our fundraiser Common Ground and the dinner after will be held October 26 at UC Berkeley.

AsAmNews is partially supported by the Stop the Hate grant administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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