Hate crime occurs when a perpetrator commits a violent or property crime that is motivated by prejudice against an individual because of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability. Hate crimes are very different from other types of criminal activity. For example, an assault that arises out of a business dispute or jealousy may involve intense hatred between the offender and victim but is not a hate crime because it does not stem from the victim’s actual or perceived personal characteristics.
A hate crime can have devastating consequences for the victim, as well as for their community. It can cause psychological and emotional distress, disintegrate relationships, and create a sense of fear that leaves victims feeling unprotected by the power structures that are supposed to protect them. It can also foster feelings of generalized terror in the group to which a victim belongs, encouraging them to feel unsafe and inspiring them to distrust other groups and communities.
The underlying factors that increase the risk of hate crime are complex and interconnected. For example, the economic condition of a society is linked to its level of xenophobia and prejudice. In Germany, for instance, legal experts point to a decline in economic opportunity as one of the reasons why racial and anti-Semitic violence has increased.
While we must promote policies and laws that uphold our Constitution’s guarantee of free speech, we must also be vigilant in identifying signs of hatred. If you notice that someone you know is experiencing disturbing behavior, talk to them and ask about it. It may be a sign that they are being targeted as a hate crime victim and need your help.