NCJ Number
185028
Date Published
1999
Length
51 pages
Annotation
This 1998 audit is currently the only comprehensive, nationwide, non-governmental compilation and analysis of anti-Asian violence in the United States.
Abstract
The report is based on an analysis of hate crimes reported to police and included in the FBI's 1998 Uniform Crime Reports. Findings show that although there was an 11-percent decrease in reported anti-Asian incidents in 1998, and there was an increase in hate incidents against South Asians. There were 429 anti-Asian incidents reported to date for 1998 compared to 481 in 1997. One explanation for the decline in the number of reported incidents may be due to the continued underreporting by police and the increased inability of community-based organization to supplement police reports. The response to hate crimes continues to be an inadequate and inconsistent patchwork of local, State, and Federal civil and criminal laws; moreover, prosecutors are not adequately enforcing the hate crime laws that do exist. The perception that hate crimes will not be prosecuted makes Asian Pacific American victims less inclined to report such incidents. There was a significant increase in reported numbers of violent crimes and attacks in private residences and businesses, but the increase is apparently largely due to more detailed information in incident reports. Recommendations in this report pertain to improved data collection on hate crimes; expanded public information on hate crimes; improved monitoring of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors regarding their response to hate crimes; better hate crimes legislation; expanded media reporting of hate crimes against Asian Americans; and more resources for mediation efforts in communities experiencing racial conflicts. 7 figures and appended resource list a prevention and responses handout, a resource list for hate on campuses, and an intake form