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What Is A Hate Crime
A hate crime is an act of vandalism or
violence motivated by hatred based on gender, race, nationality,
ethnicity, religion, sexual
orientation or disability that is prohibited by the California Penal
Code. There are many crimes that carry more severe punishments if
the motivation for that crime is proven to be hate.
A bias or hate motivated incident may
not be a crime, but could include hate-speech or words targeted for a
person based on a perception that the individual belongs to a particular
gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or
disability.
Who Are The Victims
Anyone could become a victim of a hate
crime for often something the individual has no control over.
Gender, race and often a disability are visible indicators of one's
affiliation with a particular group. However, these physical
attributes are often misperceived or assumed. Religious
affiliations and sexual orientation are rarely identified by physical
appearances. Victims are often assumed to be members of a particular
group.
When a hate crime does occur, every
member of the race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability group involved
becomes a victim. In fact, hate crimes have often victimized
entire communities.
Victims of hate crimes rarely do
anything to provoke an attack. They are selected simply because of
who they are perceived to be.
What Are The Crimes
- Murder motivated by hate based on
gender, race, color, religion, nationality, country of origin,
disability, gender, or sexual orientation is a "special
circumstances" crime eligible for punishment including death or
life in prison without parole.
- Use of force, threats, or destruction of
property that interferes with another's exercise of civil rights is a
misdemeanor.
- Committing a crime with the intent of
interfering with another's exercise of civil rights is a felony.
- Violation of a civil order protecting
the exercise of civil rights is a misdemeanor.
- Committing a felony motivated based on
the victim's race, color, religion, nationality, country of origin,
ancestry, disability, or sexual orientation is eligible for an
enhanced prison sentence.
- Vandalism of a place of worship is a
felony.
- Committing acts of terrorism, such as
burning a cross, on private property is a misdemeanor.
- Committing acts of religious terrorism
is a felony.
- Use of explosives in an act of terrorism
in special places, such as churches, health facilities, etc., is a
felony.
- Absent a threat of violence, speech
alone does not constitute a hate crime.
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Why Report A Hate Crime
It is difficult to hold law
enforcement accountable for crimes that occur in any community unless
they are reported. There is no way of knowing that a problem
exists unless it is identified and reported. Law enforcement
officers in California are specially trained in how identify and
investigate hate crimes. They understand how vulnerable victims of
these crimes may feel and have the knowledge and skills necessary to
help victims recover.
An even more important reason to
report every hate crime is so that those responsible may be caught,
prosecuted, and prevented from victimizing others. Hate crimes
victims who do not come forward put other people at risk.
How To Report A Hate Crime
If you witness a crime in progress, call
9-1-1. Be sure to tell the dispatcher exactly where you are and
describe what is happening. If you are reporting something that is
not an emergency or that happened some time ago, call the non-emergency
telephone number for the police or sheriff's department.
If you are the victim of a hate crime
and do not want to be alone when you make a police report, you can have
someone with you - a close friend, family member, or anyone who you feel
comfortable with.
You may be eligible for financial
assistance for your medical expenses and for counseling.
- Emergency Response To Any Location -
9-1-1
- American Canyon Police Department -
648-0171
- Calistoga Police Department - 942-2810
- Napa County Sheriff's Department -
253-4451
- Napa Police Department - 253-9223
- Napa Valley College Police Department -
253-3333
- St. Helena Police Department - 967-2850
- Yountville Police Department - 253-4451
- Napa County District Attorney - 253-4211
How To Prevent Hate Crimes People
are not born to hate. Hate is a learned behavior that begins early
in life as children watch their parents and relatives as well as their
peers on the play ground. Hate is a product of ignorance and is
fueled by fear and anger. Hate can be "unlearned" through
education and awareness. Modeling
tolerance is an important form of personal leadership than can help change
attitudes one person at a time. Be sensitive to jokes and remarks
that demonstrate intolerance. Avoid using slang terms or other
disparaging words. Set a positive example, and others will
follow. Remember... hate-speech is often at the root of hate
violence. "You
must be the change that you want to see in the World." -Ghandi
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