In Maryland, any of the following constitutes a hate crime:
- A crime, or threat to commit a crime, motivated by another person or group’s perceived personal characteristic or group membership, including race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin, or homelessness.
- Examples include: threatening to attack a place of worship; assaulting or injuring someone because of their perceived identity.
- Damaging or destroying, attempting to damage or destroy, and threatening to damage or destroy religious property.
- Obstructing others from exercising their religious beliefs by force or threat of force.
- Damaging, burning, destroying – or attempting or threatening to damage, burn or destroy – the real or personal property of a person or group because of that person’s or group’s perceived characteristic or membership. This includes real or personal property connected to a building that is publicly or privately owned, such as a cemetery, library, meeting hall, recreation center, or school.
Hate/Bias Incident A reported act which appears to be motivated, or perceived by the victim to be motivated, all or in part, by hate/bias against a protected class or characteristic. To be considered a hate/bias incident, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state, or local statute. The key criterion for determining whether a crime or incident is of a hate/bias nature is the motivation, in whole or part, behind the act.
Examples of Hate Bias Incidents
- Verbal abuse/slurs (example name calling)
- Degrading language
- Distributing hate literature in public spaces
Examples of Hate Bias Federally Protected Characteristics
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National Origin
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Homelessness (specific to MD)
For more information, please see the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Hate/Bias Incidents Directive
Hate crimes have a broader effect than most other kinds of crime. Hate crime victims include not only the crime’s immediate target but also others like them. Hate crimes affect families, communities, and at times, the entire nation.
Contact your local police department immediately and make a report. Unreported occurrences cannot be investigated or prosecuted. You may call 9-1-1 or your police department’s non-emergency number to report a hate bias incident.
The Hate Crimes Reporting Gap is the significant disparity between hate crimes that actually occur and those reported to law enforcement. It is critical to report hate crimes not only to show support and get help for victims, but also to send a clear message that the community will not tolerate these kinds of crimes. Reporting hate crimes allows communities and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem in a community and put resources toward preventing and addressing attacks based on bias and hate.
For information click HERE annual State of Maryland Hate/Bias Reports
5 Ways to Fight Hate and Discrimination
- Celebrate other cultures
- Educate yourself and others about different cultures, religions, and identities.
- Call out bigotry and hate speech
- Challenge harmful language and stereotypes in conversations and on social media.
- Teach children kindness and how to talk about differences
- Hate is not a police issue, it is a preschool issue.
- Act in solidarity — and intervene if it's safe to do so
- Stand in solidarity with those who are targeted by hate and discrimination.
- Support human rights organizations
- Support organizations that are working to combat hate and promote diversity
- Support organizations that are working to combat hate and promote diversity
A comprehensive response to hate crimes involves the engagement of local government, law enforcement, prosecutors, schools, religious institutions, residents, and civil rights and community-based organizations.
Strategies stakeholders can implement to combat hate crime activity:
- Publicly condemn suspected hate crime activity.
- Establish a network of community stakeholders to ensure prompt responses to and support of victims of hate crimes.
- Encourage victims and witnesses of hate crimes to report to law enforcement.
- Employ restorative justice practices where appropriate.
- Promote activities that embrace diverse populations and unite communities.
- Advocate for laws and policies that enhance the State’s response to hate crimes.
For more information visit HERE