Issue/Question:

Who commits hate crimes?

Suggested Response:

FBI data for 1999 identifies hate crime offenders by race and by their association with the commission of other crimes. In 1999, nearly 70% of hate crime offenders were white, 16% were black, 4% were multiracial, and 2% were of Asian-Pacific Island origin. Another 1% was Native American and 9% of the offenders were unknown. In terms of other crimes committed, 80% of the reported hate crime offenders in 1999 had also committed other crimes against people; the most frequent of those crimes was intimidation. Another 19% of hate crime offenders were associated with crimes against property such as destruction, damage, or vandalism. In general, most hate crimes are committed by previously law abiding young people harboring some form of disdain or hatred for a member of a particular group. (Source: American Psychological Association; full report available at www.apa.org/pubinfo/hate.)

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