Hate crime

Abstract

Hate crime can be defined as a crime (commonly violence) motivated by prejudice, bias or hatred towards a particular group of which the victim is presumed to be a member. Hate crime is generally directed towards a class of people; the individual victim may not be significant to the offender except as a member of the targeted group. The victim may be a stranger to the offender.

Hate crime goes beyond simple hostility or prejudice. It is motivated by the offender's hatred of a person because of their membership of a group defined by their race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

It is widely acknowledged that hate crime can take many forms: at the most extreme it can include murder, serious physical assault, arson and the destruction of property. It can also include a myriad of other crimes including graffiti' neighbourhood disputes, public disorder, abusive and threatening telephone calls, bullying and intimidation In school or the workplace.