In many cities throughout the United States, the prevalence of hate crimes has increased. You have been asked to provide your insight into this and recommend ways to decrease the occurrence of these types of crimes.
Research the topic of hate crimes and address the following:
• Create a profile of the typical individual who commits hate crimes.
• Who are some targets and/or victims of hate crimes?
• What are some of the causes and effects of these crimes?
• What actions can be taken to minimize the occurrence of hate crimes?
Profile of an individual who commits hate crime
Hate crimes were crimes that had bias motive and physical form and threats were involved. They had some elements of prejudice as they involved some sense of superiority of a race, sexual orientation, ethnicity or a community that viewed others as minors. Bullying, sexual harassment and physical assault were involved in the case of these hate crimes. Crimes are always committed but they are not always physical. (Hall, 2005).
An example of a crime is of a young boy aged 15years (Lawrence King) who was killed by another boy aged 14 years (Brandon McInerney) for the reason that he was gay in California. Brandon shot King on the back of the head .This incident was considered as one of the greatest acts of hate crime.
Hate crime victims
The victims of these offences were seen as physical damages and immeasurable emotional. Most of the victims were anti-white or anti-Jewish. Members of the minority class were the major casualties of hate crimes in the United States. Women, Gays and lesbians and Middle East Americans were the main victims. Victims were chosen depending on certain factors such as race, appearance, beliefs and sexual orientation. (Hall, 2005).
Causes and effects of hate crime.
Misunderstanding of religion, race and society were the main causes of hate crimes among members of a given state or society. This steered an individual to commit these crime on another. Group conflict too played a major role in hate crimes were certain groups ‘illegalized' formation of new groups within their territory or society. In case this was not observed, violence would erupt leading to hate crime that resulted into loss of lives and property.
Hate crimes have lots of negativity to a given society. It made an entire community insecure and members of such a community felt victimized. Some members find their way to mental care and some of the victims have their health affected by the events of the crimes. These crimes lead to low self-esteem and depression among members of a given society.
Controlling of hate crimes.
Law (Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA)) was enacted to prosecute those found guilty of committing hate crime. Necessary recourses needed to make the act viable were provided to address the issue of hate crime. Organizations of peaceful demonstrations were also staged to make it aware that hate crime was dividing different societies. (Madrigal & Library of Congress 2011).
The community also needs to be educated on the effects of hate crime and ways on how to unite and burry the differences there exist between individuals (race, religion and sexual orientation). Addressing the issue of hate crime through the media is another way of reaching far and wide in the sensitization of hate crime. The government stepping in to taking stern measures against those participating in hate crime would also save members who would fall victims of hate crime. (Iganski, Smith, Dixon, Bargen, & Great Britain2011)