In 1999 there was a total of 1,960 separate incidents against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population. These incidents impacted 2,234 persons, and included 3,410 distinct crimes. Of the total incidents, 765 were reported to law enforcement, which refused to take a report in 10 percent of cases, took the report but made no arrest in 73 percent of cases, and made arrests in 17 percent of cases (National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2000).

Over four-fifths of the perpetrators of anti-gay, -lesbian, -bisexual, and -transgender incidents were male, and two-thirds were under the age of 30. More than half (51 percent) of the total number of incidents recorded for 1999 involved a stranger perpetrator (Ibid).

There were 457 active hate groups in the United States in 1999. Of these, 138 can be categorized as Ku Klux Klan groups, 130 as Neo-Nazis, 40 as Racist Skinheads, 46 as Christian Identity groups, 21 as Black Separatists, and the remaining 82 as other (Southern Poverty Law Center, Spring 2000).

The approximately 15 percent decrease in the total number of hate groups since 1998 is mainly due to "mergers" of smaller groups with major ones (Southern Poverty Law Center, Winter 2000).

In early 2000, the Internet witnessed an increase in hate sites to a total of 305 (Ibid).

In 1999, there was a total of 7,876 hate crime incidents reported. Racial bias was the motivating factor in 4,295 of these incidents, religious bias in 1,411, sexual orientation bias in 1,317, ethnic bias in 829, and disability bias in 19 (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2000).

A hate crime is the victimization of an individual based upon their race, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, gender or sexual orientation. These crimes may include acts including physical assaults, assaults with weapons, harassment, vandalism, robbery, rape, verbal harassment, attacks on people’s homes or places of worship, various forms of vandalism, and murder. It occurs everywhere: in schools, the workplace, public places and in the home. Those who commit these acts come from all social/economic backgrounds and represent different age groups (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Safety and Fitness Exchange, Lance Bradley and Kevin Berrill, 1986.)

According to Finn and McNeil (1987, p. 1) ". . . These types of offenses are far more serious than comparable crimes that do not involve prejudice because they are intended to intimidate an entire group . . . furthermore, our country is founded on principles of equality, freedom of association, and individual liberty; as such, bias crime tears at the very fabric of our society." Such acts of violence are widespread in American society and part of the daily experience of many members of minority groups (National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence, 1986).

Social science attempts to explain the reasons for these crimes in a substantial body of literature, which has been expanding over the last several years. Finn and McNeail propose that economic competition by minorities as an aggravating factor in some attacks, which may be a partial explanation of the vandalism and arson directed toward Korean-owned businesses during the 1992 post-Rodney King verdict rioting in Los Angeles. There were numerous examples of incidents of anti-Arab behavior during the Persian Gulf war (Kleinfield, 1992).

Howard J. Ehrlich further expounds "..that three basic threats evoke a violent response: violations of territory or property, violations of the sacred, and violations of status...the victim’s behavior or potential behavior is defined by the actor as leaving no choice but to respond with violence" (Herek, Berrill, 1992, p.108-109).

Current reactionism to minorities is described by Dr. Brian Ogawa in his Color of Justice: Culturally Sensitive Treatment of Minority Crime Victims (1990, p. 140). "White supremacy groups are attempting to forcibly move our nation toward a form of apartheid whereby white males will rule no matter how racially diverse we become. In the paranoia that they are an endangered species, they seek to permanently establish racial separatism by any means necessary."

This unsettling commentary on the degree to which our society is biased is echoed by Lois Copeland and Leslie Wolfe in The Center for Women Policy Studies report entitled Violence Against Women as Bias Motivated Hate Crime: Defining the Issues (1991, p. 3).

"Feminist analysts and activists against violence all insist that violence against women must no longer be defined solely as a crime against an individual who happens to be female and is unfortunate enough to become a victim. Rather, this violence must be seen for what it is C a crime of misogyny, of hatred of women . . . feminist theorists would suggest that society’s acceptance of patriarchal assumptions and structures also accepts and condones these violations of women’s autonomy."

The victims may "perceive their offenders as representative of the dominant culture in society and an agent of that culture’s stereotyping of the victim’s culture" (Serving Victims of Bias Crimes, 1992). "Regardless of the attacker’s motives, victims almost always are chosen for what they are rather than who they are. This is why anti-gay hate crimes are a form of terrorism. The attack is against the community as a whole" (Herek, 1991).

Hate crime may have particularly damaging effects on its victims, their families and the communities of which they are a part. A sense of anger is one of the common responses to being the victim of a hate crime, but so is a deep sense of personal hurt and betrayal. Victims experience feelings of powerlessness, isolation, sadness and suspicion. Fear is another pervasive victim response - fear for their own safety and for their family’s safety. Most report changes in their lifestyle such as where they walk, how they answer the phone, reactions to strangers, suspicion of co-workers, and other such changes. Fear can take on paranoid qualities and drastically disrupt the lives of some victims. One of the most common reactions is a sense of injustice, and a corresponding loss of faith in law enforcement and the whole criminal justice system, which is often felt to be insensitive and disinterested.

As pointed out by the results of studies conducted by the National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence (now The Prejudice Institute at Towson State University): The feelings of vulnerability due to criminal reactions by others can lead to stress and self-dehumanization. The victim may view himself or herself as perpetually vulnerable or that his or her existence is the cause of this violence is unhealthy and maladaptive. It is important that victims not fall into the common trap of self-blame and recognize that their orientation did not lead to the attack, but rather consider "that this was not a random attack, but a pre-meditated, purposeful act aimed at...their community" (Serving Victims of Bias Crimes, 1992).

Particular note should be taken of how important it has been to victims [of hate crimes] whether others in the community seemed to care about what had happened to them. Numerous persons of varied ethnic backgrounds report that "no one seems to care:, always with a deep sense of disappointment. When others seemed not to care, the effects on victims were intensified. Such a perceived lack of concern, whether from neighbors, strangers, officials, or whomever, added to a sense of isolation. Somehow, when others do care, the trauma is softened. When others seemed not to care, victims experienced the incidents as portentous, calling into question their entire outlook on the world.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have enacted statues known commonly as "hate crime" laws. The past several years have also witnessed an increase in similar local municipal ordinances and college campus speech codes. In an unanimous decision in R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul, 112 S. Ct. 2538 (1992), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a local hate crimes ordinance in St. Paul, Minnesota. The law was challenged originally in local court on the ground that it was substantially over-broad and impermissibly content-based and, therefore, invalid under the First Amendment. Although the decision had been upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court opinion noted that the government can not punish some words based upon their content, while allowing other words to go unpunished.

Constitutional scholars have expressed concerns about the possible far-reaching implications of the decision. Some analysts predict the future of such laws will be determined by litigation, making their status uncertain following the Supreme Court ruling.

The victim has the right to not report an incident if he or she so chooses. If the attack requires hospitalization, medical service providers may be required to report the incident to the police. If so, the victim may identify the attack as hate-related or not. There are several arguments for reporting the incident as hate-related. Without documentation as to the prevalence hate crimes, there is less justification for legislation to be enacted which will hopefully decrease the frequency of these crimes. Just as legislation requires justification to be enacted, so do programs set up in response to specific problems. Without input from victims, community patrols or other programs may be suspended. On an interpersonal level, increased exposure to diverse people may work toward dispelling negative stereotypes, and thus reduce a perceived threat to would-be offenders.

Copeland, Lois and Leslie Wolfe. (1991). Violence Against Women as Bias Motivated Hate Crime: Defining the Issues. Washington, DC: Center for Women Policy Studies.

Ehrlich, Howard. (1992). "The Ecology of Anti-Gay Violence". In Gregory Herek and Kevin Berrill (eds.), Hate Crimes: Confronting Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (1995). Crime in the United States, 1994. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

Finn, Peter and Taylor McNeil. (1987). The Response of the Criminal Justice System to Bias Crime: An Exploratory Review. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.

Kleinfield, N.R. (1992, January 27). AHatred Up Close: The Tension in New York.@ New York Times, p.A-1.

National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence. (1986). The Ethnoviolence Project Pilot Study, Institute Report No. 1. Baltimore, MD.

Ogawa, Brian. (1990). Color of Justice: Culturally Sensitive Treatment of Minority Crime Victims. Sacramento, CA: Office of the Governor, State of California.

Southern Poverty Law Center. (1995). "Aryan Nations Stages Alarming Comeback in 1994." Klanwatch Intelligence Report, issue no. 77.

Suall, Irwin and Thomas Halpern. (1993). Young Nazi Killers: The Rising Skinhead Danger. New York: Anti-Defamation League.

United States Commission on Civil Rights. (1992). Civil Rights Issues Facing Asian Americans in the 1990s. Washington, DC.

Anti-Defamation League. (1991). The KKK Today: A 1991 Status Report. New York, NY.

Anti Defamation League. (1987) Shaved for Battle: Skinheads Target America’s Youth. New York, NY.

Center for Democratic Renewal. (1992). When Hate Groups Come to Town: A Handbook of Effective Community Responses. Atlanta, GA.

Comstock, Gary David. (1991). Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. New York: Columbia University Press.

Educational Development Center. (1994). National Bias Crimes Training for Law Enforcement and Victim Assistance Professionals. Newton, MA.

Flitcraft, Anne. (1992). "Violence, Values, and Gender." The Journal of the American Medical Association, 267(23):3195.

Gilbert, Mathew. (1992). "Beyond Villains & Buffoons; Gay and Lesbian Activists Want Hollywood to Broaden Its Portrayal of Them on Film." The Boston Globe, March 22, 1992, p.B25.

Hamm, Mark. (1993). American Skinheads: The Criminology and Control of Hate Crime. Westport: Praeger Publishers London.

Herek, Gregory M. And Kevin T. Berrill. (1992). Hate Crimes: Confronting Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Hightower, Susan. (1992). "Murder Leads to Protection for Gays; Hate Crime: Patrol Officers Now Escort Bar Patrons to their Cars, Police are Given Credit for a Safer Neighborhood." Los Angeles Times, March 22, 1992, p.21 col.1.

Klugman, Julian. (1992, Summer). "Negotiating Agreements and Resolving Disputes Across Cultures." Mediation Quarterly, 9(4).

Levin, Brian. (1993, Winter). "Bias Crimes: A Theoretical & Practical Overview." Stanford Law & Policy Review, Vol. 4.

Levin, Jack and Jack McDevitt. (1993). Hate Crimes: The Rising Tide of Bigotry and Bloodshed. New York: Plenum Press.

O’Malley, Jack. (1994). A Prosecutor’s Guide to Hate Crime. Chicago, IL: Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

National Center for Victims of Crime. (1996). "Hate Crimes Legislation." INFOLINK Bulletin.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Safety and Fitness Exchange. Lance Bradley, and Devin Berrill (1986): "Dealing with Violence: A Guide for Gay and Lesbian People." Washington, D.C.

New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. (1992). 1991 Annual Report. New York.

New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project. (1995). "Anti-Lesbian/Gay Violence Rises in New York City and Around Country in 1994." Stop the Violence, 6(1):1, 12-13.

Southern Poverty Law Center Klanwatch. (1994). Law Enforcement Strategy: Effective Responses to Hate Groups. Montgomery, AL.

Southern Poverty Law Center/Klanwatch. (1994). Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide to Hate Crime and Hate Groups. Montgomery, AL.

United States Conference of Mayors and the Anti-Defamation League. (1992, June). Addressing Racial and Ethnic Tensions: Combating Hate Crimes in America’s Cities. New York, NY.

Young, Marlene A. (1992). "Serving Victims of Bias Crimes." The Road to Victim Justice: Mapping Strategies for Service, A Series of Regional Training Conferences. National Organization for Victim Assistance and National Victim Center.

For additional information and referrals to organizations that provide services to victims of hate crimes, please call the National Center for Victims of Crime at

Center for Democratic Renewal
P.O. Box 50469
Atlanta, GA 30302
(404) 221 - 0025

Center for Women Policy Studies
2000 P Street, NW
Suite 508
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872 - 1770

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that 7,876 hate crime incidents were reported to law enforcement agencies nationwide in 1999. The 7,876 incidents involved 9,301 separate offenses, 9,802 victims, and 7,271 known offenders. (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 15 October 2000. Crime in the United States, Uniform Crime Reports, 1999. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 59.)

Of the 7,876 hate crime incidents reported, 4,295 were motivated by racial bias; 1,411 by religious bias; 1,317 by sexual orientation bias; 829 by ethnicity/national origin bias; 19 by disability bias; and 5 by multiple biases. (Ibid.)

In terms of incidents in 1999, 2,958 were anti-black; 1,109 were anti-Jewish; 915 were anti-gay men; 781 were anti-white; 466 were anti-Hispanic; 298 were anti-Asian/Pacific Islander; 187 were anti-gay women; and 47 were anti-American Indian/Alaskan native. (Ibid.)

Crimes against persons accounted for over 67% of hate crime offenses reported in 1999. Crimes against property accounted for over 33%, while less than 1% were crimes against society. (Ibid., 60)

Of the hate crimes against persons in 1999, intimidation accounted for 53%, while simple assault and aggravated assault represented 29% and 18%, respectively. (Ibid.)

In 1999, racial bias represented the largest percentage of bias-motivated offenses. Of the 9,301 reported offenses, 5,240 were motivated by racial bias. (Ibid., 59)

Of those offenses motivated by bias by ethnicity/national origin in 1999, over half of the incidents were reported as anti-Hispanic. (Ibid.)

Of those offenses motivated by bias against religious orientation in 1999, over three-fourths were based upon anti-Jewish bias. (Ibid.)

In 1999, 63% of the 9,802 victims were targets of crimes against persons, as opposed to property or society. Over 50% of hate crime victims were attacked because of their race, with bias against blacks counting for 38% of the total. (Ibid., 60)

Sixteen percent of all victims of hate/bias crimes in 1999 were victims of crimes motivated by bias against sexual orientation; 69% of these were victims of specifically anti-male homosexual bias, and 15% specifically anti-female homosexual bias. (Ibid., 59)

Of the 7,271 known offenders in 1999, 68% were white and 16% black. Nine percent of the offenders were of unknown races and 7% were of other races. (Ibid., 60)

When considering offenses in 1999, 6,103 known offenders were connected with crimes against persons; 1,444 were linked to crimes against property; and 46 were connected with crimes against society. (Ibid.)

Thirty percent of the 7,271 known offenders were involved with the offense of intimidation, the single most reported offense in 1999. (Ibid.)

Hate Group Monitoring
 

The first step in countering hate activity is learning about hate groups. The following are some sources for learning how to monitor their activities.
 

Coalition for Human Dignity

P.O. Box 40344

Portland, OR 97240
 

FAIR (Fairness & Advocacy in Reporting) 175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2245

New York, NY 10010

(212) 633-7600
 

This is a bi-monthly magazine offering well documented criticism to correct media bias and imbalance.
 

409 7th Street NW, Suite 4

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 324-5015
 

Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting Program Law Enforcement Support Section

Criminal Justice Information Services Division

Federal Bureau of Investigation/GRB Washington, DC 20535

(202) 324-2614
 

Freedom of Information

FOI-PA Section, Room 6296

J. Edgar Hoover Building

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4209
 

Freedom of Information

Civil Rights Division

Department of Justice

FOI-PA Branch, Room 7339

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4209
 

(202) 466-6312.
 

North Carolinians Against Racist and Religious Violence

PO Box 240

Durham, NC 27702

(919) 688-5965
 

PrairieFire Rural Action, Inc.

550 Eleventh Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 244-5671
 

The Reporters' Committee on Freedom of the Press

800 18th St NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC
 

Searchlight Magazine

37 B New Cavendish

London WlM8JR England

This monthly, English-language magazine provides the most authoritative information on neo-Nazi activities throughout Europe.
 

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

4201 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500

Washington, D.C. 20008

202/244-2990

202/244-3196 (fax)
 

A nonsectarian, nonpartisan service organization committed to defending the rights and promoting the heritage of Arab-Americans. ADC offers advocacy in cases of defamation, legal action in cases of discrimination, and counseling in matters of immigration. ADC has published a series of reports on anti-Arab hate crimes.
 

American Citizens for Justice, Inc.

15777 W. Ten Mile Road, Suite 108

Southfield, MI 48075

313/557-2772
 

Seeks to eradicate racism, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Pacific Americans and other minority and ethnic groups through legal consultation, monitoring anti-Asian violence, advocacy, community education, and the Vincent Chin Justice scholarship.
 

American Jewish Committee (AJC)

1156 15th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20005

202/265-2000

202/785-4115 (fax)
 

Created to protect the rights of Jews the world over and to combat bigotry and anti-Semitism. The AJC has published Skinheads: Who They Are s What to Do When They Come to Town and Bigotry on Campus: A Planned Response.
 

American Psychological Association

750 First Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20002-4242

202/336-6062

202/336-6063 (fax)
 

The nation's largest organization of psychologists in both academic and service delivery settings. Psychologists are an important resource for information about the biases which motivate hate crimes. Assistance and services to individuals suffering the adverse mental health consequences of prejudice and hate motivated violence are also offered by psychologists. Skilled psychologists also conduct law enforcement training focusing on understanding the causes and effects of hate-related criminal behavior.
 

Anti-Defamation League

823 United Nations Plaza

New York, NY 10017

212/490-2525

212/867-0779 (fax)
 

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is a human relations organization with 31 regional offices across the country. ADL is dedicated to promoting intergroup cooperation and interfaith understanding. Over the past decade, ADL has become a leading resource in crafting responses to hate violence, including model hate crime legislation, a 17-minute hate crime training video, a handbook of existing hate crime policies and procedures at both large and small police departments, and a general human relations training program for law enforcement designed to examine the impact of discrimination, while promoting better cultural awareness and increased appreciation for diversity.
 

Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC)

1010 South Flower Street, Suite 302

Los Angeles, CA 90015-1428

213/748-2022

213/748-0679 (fax)
 

APALC is working with the city of Los Angeles to improve its response to crimes of hate violence. Through the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, APALC has participated in the implementation of the Hate Violence Monitoring Resources Order of the Los Angeles Police Department. The program will streamline the tracking of hate violence and will train of officers who will be assigned to investigate and properly follow up on hate violence cases.
 

Cambodian Network Council

713 D Street, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

202/546-9144

202/546-9147 (fax)
 

Organized to serve and educate refugees on their rights in America. Educational programs, refugee funding, and community empowerment are its basic functions; some of the Council's affiliates do address hate crimes.
 

Center for Democratic Renewal

P.O. Box 50469

Atlanta, GA 30302

404/221-0025
 

The Center for Democratic Renewal (CDR) is a national clearinghouse of information on the white supremacist movement. CDR provides training to law enforcement agencies, schools, churches, and community organizations. Over 40 publications are available, including the resource manual, "When Hate Groups Come to Town," and the bimonthly newsletter, "The Monitor."
 

Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAV)

191 East 3rd Street

New York, NY 10009

212/473-6485

212/473-5569 (fax)
 

Founded in 1986 to organize Asian communities in the New York City area to combat racist violence. Through community education and organizing efforts, CAAAV strives to develop leadership within the Asian communities to speak out and effect change in public policies.
 

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

1765 Sutter Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

415/921-5225

415/931-4671 (fax)
 

A national nonprofit, educational, human and civil rights organization representing Americans of Japanese ancestry. JACL is headquartered in San Francisco and has 113 chapters, 5 regional offices, and an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. JACL monitors incidents of anti-Asian violence, provides assistance in specific cases, offers a handbook on responding to anti-Asian violence, and participates in seminars on hate crimes.
 

Justice Research and Statistics Association

(formerly the Criminal Justice Statistics Association)

444 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 445

Washington, D.C. 20001

202/624-8560

202/624-5269 (fax)
 

A national non-profit organization of state Statistical Analysis Center directors and other justice system professionals who use or conduct research to support public policy development. JRSA provides a clearinghouse of information on criminal justice issues and projects being carried out in the states, including hate crimes; training in the latest computer technology for records management, data analysis, and for forecasting criminal justice populations; and reports on the latest research being conducted by local, state, and Federal agencies.
 

Klanwatch

Southern Poverty Law Center

400 Washington Avenue

Montgomery, AL 36104

205/264-0286

205/264-0629 (fax)
 

Klanwatch, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, monitors hate crimes and hate groups throughout the nation. Klanwatch publishes "The Intelligence Report," a bimonthly review of hate crimes and activities of white supremacist groups for law enforcement officials, and provides training for law enforcement agencies and seminars for community organizations.
 

Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission

320 West Temple, Room 184

Los Angeles, CA 90012

212/974-7611

212/687-4251 (fax)
 

The Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission is one of the oldest and largest Human Relations Commissions. The Commission addresses hate crimes by responding directly to them, disseminating information to law enforcement agencies, the media, community-based and governmental organizations, supporting efforts on hate crime reporting, and helping to produce a Hate Crime Victims' Rights video. Hate crimes are surveyed in Los Angeles county schools and hate crime statistics are gathered and combined into a yearly report to the Board of Supervisors.
 

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 920

Washington, D.C. 20005

202/628-4074

202 /393-4206 (fax)
 

A national civil rights organization founded in 1968 to promote and protect civil rights, and specifically, to conduct litigation and advocacy work on behalf of Hispanic Americans. MALDEF primarily focuses on Hispanic immigration issues. National headquarters are located in Los Angeles; regional offices are in Ran Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
 

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

4805 Mount Hope Drive

Baltimore, MD 21215

410/358-8900

410/ 764-7357 (fax)
 

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed in 1909 in New York City. The Association has grown to over 2,200 chapters nationwide, including branches in Germany and Japan, and has over 500,000 members. The principal objective of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority group citizens among the citizens of the United States. The NAACP is committed to achievement through non-violence and relies upon the press, the petition, the ballot. and the courts.
 

National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ)

71 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10003

212/807-8440

212/727-0166 (fax)
 

That National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) was founded in 1927 to combat racism and religious bigotry, to improve communications between different American communities, and to "build bridges of mutual respect." NCCJ uses a combination of methods to achieve its goals including: education, leadership, professional intervention with trained human relations specialists, group meetings, and group dialogues.
 

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGTLF)

1734 14th Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20009-4309

202/332-6483

202 /332-0207
 

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGTLF) is a civil rights organization dedicated to building a movement to promote freedom and full equality for all lesbians and gay men. Its Anti-Violence Project was initiated in to promote an appropriate official response to anti-gay violence, improve the treatment of lesbians and gay men by the criminal justice system, and assist local communities in organizing against prejudice and violence. NGTLF reports annually on antigay/lesbian violence, victimization, and defamation.
 

National Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Forum

220 I Street, N.E., Suite 220

Washington, DC 20002

202/544-0004

202/544-1905 (fax)
 

The Forum is a membership organization which focuses on immigration policy and coordinates appeals to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Membership includes ethnic members, labor unions, state and local governmental agencies, ad local coalitions. The Forum recently created a Task Force on Race and Ethnic Relations.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

908 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20003

202/546-8811

202 /544-8351 (fax)
 

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives provides training for law enforcement executives to improve their response to bias violence, conducts research on law enforcement practices and policies, and works with other victim assistance organizations.
 

National Urban League

1111 14th Street, N.W., Suite 600

Washington, DC 20005

202/989-1604
 

The National Urban League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community-based agency headquartered in New York City with 113 affiliates in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Its Research Department, located in Washington, D.C., recently conducted a study entitled "Interracial Violence and Community Conflict: A Study in Symbolic and Competitive Racism." This study had the main objective of analyzing the interrelationships among socio economic and demographic characteristics and the incidence of interracial violence and conflict.
 

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)

1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 707

Washington, D.C. 20036

202/ 223-5500

202/296-0540 (fax)
 

A national nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organization advocating for the welfare of Chinese Americans. OCA has an internal task force on anti-Asian violence. It monitors court cases and is involved with specific cases by acting as legal counsel and providing financial resources. OCA materials include a quarterly newsletter, which offers updates on cases, and a new major publication on hate crimes.
 

People For the American Way (People For)

2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 400

Washington, D.C. 20036

202/467-4999

202/293-2672 (fax)
 

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the defense of constitutional liberties. Through its work on hate crimes censorship and civil rights, People For works to combat intolerance in America. Publications include Hate in the Ivory Tower, report on hate crimes and incidents on college campuses, and Democracy's Next Generation II on youth attitudes and race.
 

Police Executive Research Forum

2300 M Street, N.W., Suite 910

Washington, DC 20037

202/466-7820

202-466-7826 (fax)
 

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is a national association of progressive police executives from large- and medium-sized jurisdictions dedicated to improving police services. PERF has been a leading law enforcement advocate of hate crime data collection since 1987, when it became one of the first national police associations to endorse the Hate Crime Statistics Act. In an effort to help promote understanding and reduce tensions between persons of different races, religions, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, PERF offers a cultural differences training curriculum for law enforcement officials.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE
 

Federal
 

United States Department of Justice

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

633 Indiana Avenue

Washington, DC 20531

(202) 307 5983
 

National Victim Center

2111 Wilson Blvd.

Suite 300

Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 276-2880
 

National Victims Resource Center

1600 Research Blvd.

Department F

Rockville, MD 20850

(800) 627-6872
 

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

P.O. Box 34103

Washington D.C.

(202) 638-6388
 

National Association Against Sexual Assault

c/o Rape Crisis Center of W. Contra Costa

2000 Vale Road

San Pablo, CA

(415) 236-7273
 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
 

Regional Offices and States Within Each Region
 

Region I-New England
99 Summer Street, Suite 1820
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 424-5715
(617) 424-5727 (fax)

Servicing: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT


 

Region II-Northeast
26 Federal Plaza, Room 3402
New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-0700
(212) 264-2143 (fax)

Servicing: NJ, NY, PR, VI
 

Region III-Mid-Atlantic
2nd and Chestnut Streets, Room 309
Philadelphia PA 19106
(215) 597-2344
(215) 597-9148 (fax)

Servicing: DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
 

Region IV-Southeast
75 Piedmont Avenue, N.E., Room 900
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 331-6883
(404) 331-4471 (fax)

Servicing: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
 

Region V-Midwest
55 West Monroe Street, Suite 420
Chicago, IL 6060,
(312) 353-4391
(312) 353-4390 (fax)

Servicing: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
 

Region VI-Southwest
1420 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 250
Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 655-8175
(214) 655-8184 (fax)

Servicing: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
 

Region VII-Central
911 Walnut Street, Room 2411
Kansas City, MO 64104
(816) 426-2022
(816) 426-7512 (fax)

Servicing: IA, KS, MO, NE
 

Region VIII-Rocky Mountain
1244 Speer Blvd., Room 650
Denver, CO 80204-3584
(303) 844-2973
(303) 844-2907 (fax)

Servicing: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
 

Region IX-Western
211 Main Street, Room 1040
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-6565
(415) 744-6590 (fax)

Servicing: AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV
 

Region X-Northwest
915 Second Avenue, Room 1898
Seattle, WA 98174
(206) 220-6700
(206) 220-6706 (fax)

Servicing: AK, ID, OR, WA


 

Field Offices
 

Miami Field Office Region IV
Room 424
51 SW First Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 536-5206
(305) 536-7363 (fax)
 

Detroit Field Office Region V
231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Room 608
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 226-4010
(313) 226-2568 (fax)
 

Houston Field Office-Region VI
515 Rusk Avenue, Room 12605
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 229-2861
(713) 229-4862 (fax)
 

Headquarters Office
600 E Street
Washington, D.C. 20530
(202) 305-2935
 

VICTIM AND COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS
 

A number of organizations assist hate crime victims and help local communities develop appropriate responses.
 

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
4201 Connecticut Ave., N.W., #500 Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 244-2990


American Jewish Committee
165 E. 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 751-4000
 

Check local listing for a state or regional office.
 

Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith
823 United Nations Plaza, #1100
New York, NY 10017
 

Check local listing for a state or regional office.
 

Asian Law Caucus
468 Bush St., 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 391-1655
 

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 1734 14th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20009-4309
202) 332-6483
 

Hetrick-Martin Institute
401 West Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 633-8920
 

Coalition for Human Dignity
P. O. Box 40344
Portland, OR 97240
(503) 227-5033
 

Center for Constitutional Rights
666 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(212) 614-6464
 

Freedom of Information

Chief J. Kevin O'Brien

F.B.I. (Attn: FOI-PA Section)
9th and Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20535
 

Klanwatch

Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
(205) 264-0286
 

Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc.
666 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(212) 995-8585
 

Montana Human Rights Network
P. O. Box 9184
Helena MT 59604
(406) 442-5506
 

NAACP
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 358-8900
 

National Urban League
1111 14th Street, N.W., 6th floor Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 898-1604
 

North Carolinians Against Racist and Religious Violence
P.O. Box 240
Durham, NC 27702
(919) 688-5965
 

Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment
P. O. 16776
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 233-9136
 

People Against Racist Terror (P.A.R.T.) P.O. Box 1990
Burbank, CA 91507
(213) 461-3127
 

Romani-Jewish Alliance
Box 325
Cashmere, WA 98815
(509) 782-4710
 

The Women's Project
2224 Main Street
Little Rock, AR 72206
(501) 372-5113


 

LEGAL RESOURCES


 

Federal
 

United States Department of Justice

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

Civil Rights Division
Room 5643
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 65808
Washington, D.C. 20035-5808
(202) 514-2151
 

This division is responsible for enforcing Federal civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color religion or national origin in the areas of voting, education employment and housing, in the use of public facilities and public accommodations, and in the administration of federally assisted programs.
 

The Civil Rights Division also has the obligation to enforce specific criminal statutes including those concerning willful deprivation of constitutional rights while acting under color of law through conspiracy and violent interference with federally protected activities.
 

National
 

National District Attorney's Association
99 Canal Center Plaza
Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-9222
 

State
 

National Association of Attorneys General
 

Alabama