Can a hate crime be committed with words alone?

	About PAH

	About Hate Crimes

	For Community and Business Leaders

	For Educators

	For Law Enforcement

	For Parents and Families

	For Youth

	For Trainers

	Hate Response Network

	Hate Crimes Database

	Promising Programs

	PAH Publications

	Newsletter

	Site Index

	Trainers Intranet

Partner Organizations

Anti-Defamation League

Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence

The Leadership Conference Education Fund

Funded By

Office of Juvenile Deliquency Prevention U.S. Department of Justice

Safe and Drug Free Schools Program U.S. Department of Education

Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program.

Issue/Question:
Can a hate crime be committed with words alone?

Suggested Response:

The use of bigoted and prejudiced language does not in and of itself violate hate crime laws. This type of offense is frequently classified as a bias incident. However, when words threaten violence, or when bias-motivated graffiti damages or destroys property, hate crime laws may apply.

Privacy Statement

nonprofit software