Improving the Prevention and Enforcement of Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are serious and well-documented problems but remain inadequately recognized and addressed. The 2009-2011 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 supports legislation such as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Mathew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would 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 Crimes must be motivated by a person's race, color, national origin, or religion and occur while the victim is engaged in a specified federally protected activity. AAUW believes that this important hate crimes prevention law must be extended to cover violent crimes motivated by gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and must not be limited to victims engaged in federally protected activities.
For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.
AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations Department
1 American Association of University Women. (June 2009). 2009-11 AAUW Public Policy Program. Retrieved July 9, 2009, from http://www.aauw.org/advocacy/issue_advocacy/principles_priorities.cfm.
2 Title 18 U.S.C. §245.
