Hate and Bias Crimes

 

What is a Hate Crime?

When a crime is a "hate crime", the victim is intentionally selected because of his or her race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. A number of federal and state laws prohibit acts or threats of violence, as well as harassment and discrimination, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender and/or disability.

For more information, please read the National Institute of Justice report entitled Hate Crime in America.

Tennessee Law

Tennessee's Hate Crime Law identifies hate crimes as one in which the person(s) or properties against whom the crime was selected because of the perpetrator's belief or perception about the victim's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or gender. (T.C.A. § 40-35-114)

Federal Law

For information on current Federal hate crimes legislation, please visit the Human Rights Campaign website.

 

 

 

Resource Center

Hate Crimes Statistics 2005

Study of Literature and Legislation on Hate Crime in America