Daily Policy Digest
Crime
November 17, 1999
"Hate Crimes" Are Rare, Compared To Hate Or Crime
According to FBI data (Crime in the United States, 1997, and Hate Crime Statistics, 1997), "hate crimes" account for only a tiny fraction of total crimes:
- Of every 20,000 murders, 9 are "hate crimes" (0.044 percent).
- Of every 20,000 rapes, 2 are "hate crimes" (0.009 percent).
- Of every 20,000 robberies, 6 are "hate crimes" (0.029 percent).
- Of every 20,000 aggravated assaults, 24 are "hate crimes" (0.121 percent).
The vast majority of alleged "hate crimes" are not violent crimes, but rather "simple assault" or "intimidation." Simple assault means no serious injury occurred, and no weapon was used. Intimidation is the use of threatening words or conduct, such as angry shouting and fist-waving.
But as the statistics above show, most violent crimes are not "hate crimes," including crimes that are committed against members of a particular group -- such as rape, which is primarily a crime against women.
The same applies to most attacks on homosexuals, since, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, the number of "gay-on-gay" domestic violence cases is 14 times greater than the number of violent "anti-gay" attacks.
Source: Timothy J. Dailey, "Talking Points: "Hate Crime" Laws Mean Unequal Protection," October 4, 1999, Family Research Council, 801 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, (202) 393-2134.
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