Position on Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are serious and well-documented problems but have historically been inadequately recognized and addressed. The 2011-2013 Public Policy Program of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advocates “freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces and communities.”1 To this end, AAUW coordinated the efforts of women’s organizations that culminated in the October 2009 passage of the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. AAUW believes this long-overdue expansion of the law will strengthen the federal response to hate crimes.
In 1968, Congress enacted a hate crimes prevention law that covers violent crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.2 Under the original terms of the legislation, crimes must have been motivated by a person’s race, color, national origin, or religion and occur while the victim is engaged in a specified federally protected activity. The new measure signed into law by President Barack Obama expands hate crimes protection categories to also cover violent crimes motivated by gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, in addition to providing local and state law enforcement with additional training and resources.2
For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.
1 American Association of University Women. (June 2011). 2011-13 AAUW Public Policy Program. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from www.aauw.org/act/issue_advocacy/principles_priorities.cfm.
2 Title 18 U.S.C. §245.
3 U.S. Government Printing Office. (2009). H.R.2647: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Division E. Retrieved February 15, 2011, from frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2647enr.txt.pdf.