NCJ Number
185504
Date Published
2000
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article discusses hate crimes by presenting three aspects of the problem--what hate crimes are, why hate crimes are committed, and methods counselors can use to intervene to prevent them.
Abstract
Hate crimes are defined as offenses motivated by the hatred of individuals or groups based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or national origin. Hate crimes are doubly perplexing because they tend to incite groups to even more violence as they target essential characteristics of group identity and affiliation. Hatred may originate as a self-protective mechanism in order to protect oneself from the risk of loving others and being vulnerable to them. It has also been described as an adjustment to love deprivation. Because of its intensity, hatred may trigger an overwhelming physiological response that negates cognitive control. Counselors have many tools for de-escalating the physiological response of hatred. Anger management is a potent tool for counselors to use because it recognizes that hatred and prejudice are ecological and that all aspects of the person and the environment associated with the problem must be considered in any solution to the problem. Hate crimes are not new and will continue as long as society allows them. While legislation will be helpful in the battle against hate crimes, individual and community efforts will also be needed to speak out against hate and hate groups. A case study of a hate crime victim in the school setting is included. 18 references and 1 figure