Hate Crimes

Hate crimes are acts of harassment, intimidation, or physical violence directed against an individual or group solely because of their race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, immigrant status, or beliefs.

Several federal, state and city laws address hate crimes. Two important California laws are the Ralph and Bane Civil Rights Acts, under which hate crime victims can be awarded actual damages, receive restraining orders, and get additional payments up to three times the actual damages. The Ralph Civil Rights Act forbids acts or threats of violence motivated by ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. The Bane Civil Rights Act prohibits anyone from interfering by force or threat of violence with another person’s constitutional or statutory civil rights.

On a federal level, the Hate Crimes Statistics Act requires the FBI to compile statistics in all crimes motivated by bigotry. These statistics are important for law enforcement and civil rights organizations working to combat hate violence. Hate crime victims should call the U.S. Justice Department at 1-800-347-HATE, as well as the local police.

If you are a victim of a hate crime:

• Call 911 to report a threat or violent act as soon as possible and in every detail you can remember. If you do not report the incident within 24 hours, you may be ineligible for victim’s compensation. Be sure the police officer fills out an incident report for a hate-based crime.
• If personal injury has been inflicted, seek medical care immediately.
• If you do not know who threatened or hurt you or damaged your property, and your local police will not investigate, contact the California Attorney General (1-800-952-5225). In some instances, the Attorney General will investigate if your local police will not.
• You can file complaints under the Ralph Civil Rights Act with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing at (916) 445-9918. Also, be sure to report the incident to the Sacramento Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission at (916) 444-6903.

Resources

From “Hate Crimes: A Challenge to the Entire Community,” a public service pamphlet produced by the California State Senate.