NCJ Number
127049
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape and discussion manual on hate crime emphasize that the primary purpose of hate crime is to instill fear in victims.
Abstract
As unlawful actions designed to frighten or harm an individual because of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, hate crimes include verbal intimidation and harassment, damage and desecration of property, and physical violence and murder. Incidents portrayed in the video include a cross burning, a threatening phone call, a synagogue desecrated with graffiti, a victimized Asian-Indian family, a violent assault on a homosexual man, a threatened white woman, an assault on a young black youth, and an attack on police officers responding to a false report of a crime in progress. Hate crimes have devastating effects on both the victim and the community. The first police officer on the scene of a crime has the most discretion in determining if hate crime is involved, and he or she should ask detailed questions and note facts. The police officer's job is frequently made more difficult because minority victims are not only afraid of retaliation by crime perpetrators but are also afraid of the police. Police officers should bring in community leaders to assist in the investigation of hate crimes, since this will alleviate some of the fear and anxiety expressed by victims. The discussion manual covers what police officers should look for in identifying hate crimes; effects of hate crimes; and the special relation between police, victim, and community. Appendixes to the manual contain a select bibliography on hate crimes and a chart of State hate crime legislation. 22 references