Hate Crimes on the Rise in Orange County – Fullerton Observer
Posted By admin on October 25, 2020
The OC Human Relations Commission released its 2019 Orange County Hate Crime Report on October 20. For the fifth consecutive year, the numbers of crimes increased. Hate crime was up 24% in 2019 over the previous year.
We know that hate crime is grossly underreported and that we likely do not hear from the majority of people who are targeted each year, Allison Edwards, CEO of OC Human Relations, wrote in a statement. We are a diverse county, but we can do better. We can be an inclusive county where the people who live here feel safe and good about staying here.
Heres a summary with excerpts from the report:
What is a Hate Crime?
In California, the legal definition of a hate crime (under California Penal Code 422.6) is defined as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of anothers disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group of persons with one or more of the preceding actual or perceived characteristics.
Hate Crimes in Orange County
The Orange County Human Relations Commission received reports from 19 law enforcement agencies, 24 education institutions, and 5 community-based organizations.
In Orange County, 83 hate crimes were reported in 2019, a 24% increase from 2018. This is the largest jump in hate crime activity in the last 5 years.
The most frequently reported hate crime was motivated by the targets of race, ethnicity and/or national origin (47%) followed by religion (28%), sexual orientation (18%), gender identity (5%), and disability (1%).
Of the 47% of cases motivated by race, ethnicity, and/or national origin, 53% were driven by anti-Black sentiment, followed by anti-Hispanic (30%) and anti-Asian (17%).
Of the 28% of hate crimes motivated by religion, the Jewish community was the primary target at 52% followed by Catholics, Christians, and Muslims (14% combined).
Of the hate crime cases reported motivated by sexual orientation (18%) and gender identity (5%), 78% of the cases were anti-gay followed by anti-female(11%) and anti-transgender (11%).
The most reported hate-based criminal offense was vandalism (44%) followed by aggravated assaults (22%), simple assault (13%), criminal threats (9%), harassment (5%), theft (4%), assault and battery (3%), and arson (1%).
What is a Hate Incident?
A hate incident differs from a hate crime in that it is the behavior that is motivated by hate or bias towards a persons actual or perceived disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation but is not criminal in nature. Typically, these behaviors are protected by the First Amendments right to freedom of expression. If this type of behavior escalates to threats or carried out against a person or property, or becomes an incitement to commit violence, it would be classified as a hate crime.
Hate Incidents in Orange County
In Orange County, a total of 156 hate incidents were reported in 2019, a 6% decrease from last year. Hate incidents are notoriously underreported for a variety of reasons. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are up to 260,000 hate events that go unreported annually nation-wide.
Main Motivators for Hate Incidents
The main motivation for hate incidents was religion (44%) followed by race/ethnicity/National origin (39%), and sexual orientation/gender identity (15%). Two percent were targeted for more than one motive.
Similar to the hate crime data, of the 44% of hate incidents due to religion, the Jewish community was the primary target at 65%, followed by 31% of the incidents targeting the Muslim community (31%).
Of the 39% of hate incidents motivated due to race/ethnicity/National origin, 51% were anti-Black followed by anti-Hispanic (13%) and anti-multiple races (13%).
Of the hate incident cases reported that were motivated by sexual orientation/gender identity, 68% of the cases were anti-gay followed by anti-female (14%), anti-lesbian (9%), and anti-LGBT in general (9%).
In 2019, the highest hate incidents reported were harassment and hate speech (74%), followed by Vandalism (21%), simple assault (3%), and aggravated assault (2%).
In 2019, the top location for hate incidents was at school campuses (44%), followed by work/business (23%), public area (15%), private property (7%), phone/online (7%), and place of worship (3%).
Forty-one percent were reported in high schools, 25% in middle schools, 19% in colleges/university, and 15% in elementary schools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), students who experience hate crimes or hate incidents are at increased risk for lower academic achievement as they tend to skip school and are more likely to drop out. Studies show there is a link between school safety and students academic performance.
Orange County is Diverse
Orange County is one of Americas most diverse counties. Of the roughly 3.2 million people who live here, about 30% of our population is foreign-born, over 40% of residents speak a language other than English at home, including roughly 25% who speak Spanish, and there are over 80 faiths practiced here.
In publishing this annual Hate Crime Report, we are confronted by the fact that hate crimes continue to rise, wrote Michael Reynolds, Chair of the Orange County Human Relations Commission. We can, and we must, do better. It is our hope that this report will inform ongoing conversations in different spaces about the need to support hate victims and, as a community, to commit to treat one another as we individually would want to be treated.
What should I do if Im victimized?
Contact law enforcement immediately to file a report.
Obtain medical attention, if needed. Be sure to keep all medical documentation.
Leave all evidence in place. Do not touch, remove and/or clean up anything.
Document what happened by taking photographs of the evidence, writing down exactly what was said, particularly any words that indicate bias, motivation, and other information that may be valuable.
Get the name(s), address(es), and phone number(s) of other victim(s) and witness(es).
If possible, write down a description of the perpetrator and the perpetrators vehicle.
Find support from friends, family, and from seek professional help if needed.
Report the occurrence to OC Human Relations Commission
To report a hate crime, call 714-480-6580. You can also report online at http://www.ochumanrelations.org/hatecrime.
Need Support?
The OC Human Relations Commission provides individuals who have been targeted by hate crimes and/or hate incidents with support and appropriate resources. All information, support, and services provided are confidential. Throughout the year, the Commission provides presentations and releases the annual Hate Crimes Report informing Orange County community about hate crimes and hate incidents because of the impact that it has on the victims and society.
Victim Witness Assistance
Help is available in the form of:
Support in communicating with the law enforcement, the court and other authorities
Translation services for non-English speakers
Information resources and referrals
Crisis intervention and counseling
Orientation to the criminal justice system
Emergency financial application assistance
Support with property return, restitution assistance, filing compensation claims, temporary restraining orders, emergency transportation, and case status/disposition information
Other organizations that support and defend victims of hate crimes:
ACLU of Southern California, Orange County Branch: (714) 450-3962
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Orange County/Long Beach Region: (949) 679-3737
California Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH): (800) 884-1684 or (800) 700-2320
California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board: (800) 777-9229
Council on American-Islamic Relations, Southern California (CAIR): (714) 776-1847
Dayle McIntosh Center: (714) 621-3300
Fair Housing Council of Orange County: (714) 569-0823
Federal Bureau of Investigation Victim Assistance Program: (714) 542-8825
Japanese American Citizens League (Pacific Southwest Chapter): (213) 626-4471
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Orange County:(714) 543-3637
OC Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA): (714) 636-9095
Office of the Orange County District Attorney: (714) 834-3600
Office of Victim Services, California Attorney General: (877) 433-9069
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): (714) 997-8047
Sikh Council California: 1-877-CALSIKH
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): (334) 956-8200
LGBTQ Center OC: (714) 953-5428
U.S. Department of Justice OfficeHate Crime Suppression Unit: (213) 580-3358
U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime: (800) 851-3420
Waymakers: (949) 975-0488
Protect local journalism please subscribe to the print edition of the Fullerton Observer. Our online edition is free, but we depend on print subscriptions from readers. Annual subscription is only $35/year.It only takes a minute Click Here To Subscribe. Thank you for your support for the Fullerton Observer. Click here to view a copy of the print edition.
Go here to see the original:
Hate Crimes on the Rise in Orange County - Fullerton Observer
- Decoding the extremist symbols and groups at the Capitol Hill insurrection - ABC17News.com - January 12th, 2021
- Lawmakers Fear More Violence Ahead Of Inauguration Day : Insurrection At The Capitol: Live Updates - NPR - January 12th, 2021
- The Big Question: Can the U.S. Defuse Violent Right-Wing Extremism? - BloombergQuint - January 10th, 2021
- Opinion: We have to work together to protect democracy from threats - The Detroit News - January 10th, 2021
- Sacha Baron Cohen on Facebook, Twitter and Trump - Variety - January 10th, 2021
- Extremists intensify calls for violence ahead of Inauguration Day - WDJT - January 10th, 2021
- Trump Helped Take Extremist Views From The Fringes Of Society To A Mob Attacking The Capitol - FiveThirtyEight - January 10th, 2021
- US Capitol: Q-Anon, Confederate flag man, and Baked Alaska - here are the people who stormed the building - Sky News - January 10th, 2021
- Domestic terrorism and hate exploded in 2020. Here's what the Biden administration must do. - ABC News - January 1st, 2021
- Arizona hate crimes bounced back in 2019, experts fear a surge in 2020 - Cronkite News - January 1st, 2021
- Weeks-Old Statue of Breonna Taylor Is Battered in Oakland, Calif. - The New York Times - January 1st, 2021
- Hanover police need help identifying possible menorah vandals - The Union Leader - December 27th, 2020
- Boycott urged on firms that assist Israel's occupation - Triple Pundit - December 27th, 2020
- After Dartmouth menorah was vandalized, Hanover police seek more information - Concord Monitor - December 22nd, 2020
- New York bans display of Confederate flag and other hate symbols on state grounds - WDJT - December 22nd, 2020
- 'We're against everything they stand for': LGBTQ-owned clothing company Verillas pushes back after Proud Boys wear its kilts - USA TODAY - December 22nd, 2020
- Thomas O'Brien on Boston's Newest Luxury High-Rise Residential Tower, Bulfinch Crossing Development, Pandemic and 2021 - Boston Real Estate Times - December 22nd, 2020
- Hate groups receive millions of dollars in federal funds - WVTM13 - December 14th, 2020
- 'Is this what we're becoming?': Anne Frank memorial in Idaho, the only one in US, defaced with swastika stickers - USA TODAY - December 14th, 2020
- Opposition Mounts Against Proposed Appointment of Far-right Chairman to Israeli Holocaust Museum - Hyperallergic - December 14th, 2020
- Only yesterday - The Hudson Reporter - December 14th, 2020
- Chelsea FC launches exhibition about Jewish Athletes and the Holocaust - Chelsea FC - December 14th, 2020
- Evergreen Mill Elem. student named 'Kid of the Year' finalist - Loudoun Times-Mirror - December 14th, 2020
- Conservatives flocked to Parler after the election. But its explosive growth is over - KCTV Kansas City - December 14th, 2020
- Anti-Defamation League to honor health secretary Levine ... - December 5th, 2020
- The Anti-Defamation League Is Not What It Seems | Boston ... - December 5th, 2020
- Travel Fairness Now Hosts Webinar with Health Care, Consumer and Travel Experts to Improve Traveler Access to Vital Information During Covid-19 and a... - December 5th, 2020
- ADL and Aspen Institute Announce Two Civil Society Fellowship Classes in Response to the Heightened Need for Civil Discourse in a Divided America -... - November 17th, 2020
- Tens of thousands rally in DC to support outgoing President Trump; at least 20 arrested as protesters clash with counterprotesters - USA TODAY - November 17th, 2020
- White supremacist jailed for 2 years over plot to bomb Las Vegas synagogue, ADL - The Times of Israel - November 15th, 2020
- ADL webinar addresses election, extremes - Cleveland Jewish News - November 13th, 2020
- Jewish orgs. react to presumptive win of Dem. nominee Joe Biden - The Jerusalem Post - November 13th, 2020
- Sharon L. Klein Named to Working Mother's Top Wealth Advisor Moms 2020 - PRNewswire - November 13th, 2020
- Facebooks redoubled AI efforts wont stop the spread of harmful content - VentureBeat - November 13th, 2020
- Proceed with eyes open - Isthmus - November 13th, 2020
- Tip lines allow voters to report intimidation, extremism at the polls - Chicago Sun-Times - November 3rd, 2020
- Hate Speech on the Rise - PBS39.org - November 3rd, 2020
- 100-year-old Jewish cemetery in Michigan vandalized with red paint - New York Post - November 3rd, 2020
- Who are the 'Proud Boys'? Photos of Austin protesters circulating online - KIIITV.com - November 3rd, 2020
- In Texas, Jewish Republicans step in against lawsuit seeking to reject 127,000 drive-through votes - Haaretz.com - November 3rd, 2020
- Uncomfortable Conversations: Fighting racism against Asian Americans in wake of COVID - AdAge.com - November 3rd, 2020
- Suspect In Ithaca String Of Hate Crimes Arrested - WSKG.org - November 3rd, 2020
- The risk of violence and protests on Election Day - Vox.com - November 3rd, 2020
- The Color Of Water | Opinion | coronadonewsca.com - Coronado Eagle and Journal - November 3rd, 2020
- Desperation - And Response (2) - The Chattanoogan - November 3rd, 2020
- Opinion: Why Gen Z and Millennials need to vote in 2020 - WHYY - November 3rd, 2020
- ADL says election-related hate on the rise: 'antisemitism, racism, xenophobia & all forms of bigotry.' - The Boston Globe - October 25th, 2020
- CAPAC: New ADL Report Ties Spike in Anti-Asian Bigotry to Trump - The Rafu Shimpo - October 25th, 2020
- Resisting the Tide of Bigotry - The Cairo Review of Global Affairs - October 25th, 2020
- Order allowing Texas counties to have multiple mail-in ballot drop off sites is upheld, but appeal halts openings - Katy Times - October 25th, 2020
- Video of Trump rally appears to show attendee making hand gesture commonly used by white supremacists - USA TODAY - October 25th, 2020
- Hate Groups Active In Ohio Long Before Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor - WOSU - October 25th, 2020
- Students at Foothill College pass antisemitism resolution J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 25th, 2020
- New Initiative Unlocks the Power of Consumers and Brings Brands and Social Media Platforms Together to Clean Up Hate Online - PRNewswire - October 25th, 2020
- Pernod Ricard gets industry buy-in for tool that reports hate speech on social media - Marketing Dive - October 25th, 2020
- 5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester Oct. 21, 2020 - This Week In Worcester - October 25th, 2020
- On its 50th anniversary, the secret Jewish history of Doonesbury - Forward - October 25th, 2020
- Berkeley man known to police charged with Oakland synagogue vandalism - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 25th, 2020
- GOP mailer in the 165th decried as anti-Semitic - The Delaware County Daily Times - October 25th, 2020
- AP Explains: What's Behind Trump's Town Hall Answer on QAnon - WTTW News - October 25th, 2020
- Who are the Proud Boys: Englewood business owner proud to lead controversial group - yoursun.com - October 25th, 2020
- What Is a Militia? And Why Is the Word So Controversial These Days? - The New York Times - October 25th, 2020
- New Pernod Ricard Initiative Aims to Clean Up Hate Online - BevNET.com - October 25th, 2020
- QAnon: YouTube bans conspiracy theory content that justifies real-world violence - Euronews - October 16th, 2020
- LEADING NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCACY GROUPS, BEN & JERRY'S, AND THE SACRAMENTO BEE ENDORSE PROPOSITION 17 - Civilrights.org - October 16th, 2020
- What You Need to Know About The Trial of the Chicago 7 - The New York Times - October 16th, 2020
- Gateway to Radicalization: Wisconsin cultivates extremism with ties to Michigan insurrection group - Milwaukee Independent - October 16th, 2020
- Affirmative Action on the Ballot: A Closer Look at Prop 16 - Fullerton Observer - October 16th, 2020
- Community organizations to hold virtual summit focused on race, hatred and social justice - SILive.com - October 12th, 2020
- Grand jury releases report on hate speech in San Mateo public schools - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 12th, 2020
- Anti-government groups shift focus from Washington to states - Idaho Business Review - October 12th, 2020
- On the Move: East Valley JCC, Arizona ADL and Valley Beit Midrash - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - October 8th, 2020
- Facebook says it will now ban all pages supporting QAnon, the anti-Semitic conspiracy theory - Forward - October 8th, 2020
- Are the Proud Boys anti-Semitic? A primer on the far-right group - Jewish Community Voice - October 8th, 2020
- Committee talks rebranding of Waterloo Police insignia - kwwl.com - October 8th, 2020
- Nazi comparisons have long been off-limits for American Jews. But not this year. - Connecticut Jewish Ledger - October 8th, 2020
- Proud Boys presence in North Carolina according to SPLC - WCNC.com - October 8th, 2020
- Everything 'potentially up for grabs': What Jewish groups are watching for in this unusual Supreme Court session - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic... - October 8th, 2020
- White supremacy gang may have had a role in escape attempt thwarted at Lee County Jail - News-Press - October 8th, 2020
- What Jewish groups are watching for in this unusual Supreme Court session - The Jerusalem Post - October 8th, 2020
Comments