NCJ Number
193707
Journal
Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 73-85
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined the "epidemic hypothesis" with regard to hate crime.
Abstract
For purposes of this analysis, a hate crime is a criminal offense committed against a person or property which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin. Data used in this study were Uniform Crime Reporting data voluntarily reported by local police departments to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in accordance with the Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990. The "Epidemic Hypothesis" suggests that hate crimes are increasing in number and have grown significantly in frequency. The data suggest that there is a relatively steady frequency of hate crimes reported by police departments to the FBI. The study suggests that any changes from year to year may be a function of variations in reporting and/or measurement practices. Study findings did not support the epidemic hypothesis, and the study agreed with earlier claims that the rhetoric over the hate crime problem was not supported by statistical evidence. Notes, tables, references