Thinking About Hate-Motivated Crimes

Abstract

This article discusses a variety of problems related to the general conceptualization of hate crimes. Beginning with the question of what attributes differentiate a hate-motivated crime from other types of crime, the article discusses problems associated with discerning time trends, the possible role of the AIDS epidemic in hate-motivated crimes, and the import of particular risk factors. The article identifies the symbolic and actuarial status of crime victims as the defining feature of hate crimes, and points out that such crimes may be both expressive and instrumental. A preliminary list of eight variables is proposed that might be related to hate-motivated crimes. In a discussion of how time trends might be identified in hate-motivated crimes, the article briefly describes some procedures by which data might be analyzed. In the discussion of risk factors, the article discusses how minority groups targeted by hate-motivated crimes might be sampled, and how data collected from those groups might be analyzed. In conclusion, a parallel is drawn between current knowledge on hate-motivated crimes and the status of knowledge about family violence 15 years ago.