Gay Men in USA and Hate Crimes Info

I am just wanting to post some FACTS here about hate crimes from the United States Government, it blows me away to see that being a Gay Man puts you 400 times the risk of ANY other minority group to be the victim of a hate crime and that is only of the hate crimes that are presently reported so the number is actually much higher the following are some statistics on hate crimes in America.

Overview of Hate Crimes in America

National research indicates that crimes motivated by bias are more violent than crimes without bias as a motivating factor. While assaults compromise only 11% of all crimes committed, assaults constitute 31% of hate crimes. 2 Hate crime assaults tend to be more severe, and may involve verbal threats, and/ or severe physical violence.

In addition, hate crimes may involve the use of explosives, arson, weapons, and vandalism. Unidentified strangers, not organized groups, commit most hate crimes.

Among the known perpetrators, 65% of those committing the acts are teenagers or young adults. Of these perpetrators, 63% are white, and 27% are black.

Eight out of every ten reported hate crimes are against individuals. Hate crimes cause more emotional harm to the victims. Victims of hate crimes have been found to experience two and one half times more negative psychological symptoms, due in part to the unprovoked nature of attack and potential for future attack. Victims may experience more severe grief because they perceive a loss of their sense of community, or feelings of betrayal by the American system.

There are higher victimization rates for some groups. For example, gay men are 400 times more likely to become a victim of a hate crime than individuals associated with any other group. 3 In many instances, victims experience multiple attacks before deciding to report.

Hate crimes have the potential to ignite community disorder. Hate crimes can trigger large community* wide racial conflict, civil disturbances, and even riots. The disturbances can cause short* term social and economic consequences including property damage and loss; injury; and death. Hate crimes can also cause long* term social and economic consequences
such as a permanent decline in property value; lower tax revenues; scarcity of funds for rebuilding; and increased insurance rates.


1 "Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines," U. S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Clarksburg, W. V., 1996, p. 4* 5. 2 "Ending Hate: Preventing and Responding to Anti* Islamic Hate Crimes," American Muslim Council, Washington, D. C., 1998, p. 3. 3 "Research Results on Hate Crimes," U. S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice

 

Facts or fear mongering?