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1. What is a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is any criminal act or attempt directed against a person(s), public agency, or private institution based on the victim’s actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender, or because the agency or institution is identified or associated with a person or group of an identifiable race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender. Example of hate crimes include:

• Acts that result in injury, no matter how slight
• Threats of violence that look like they can be carried out
• Vandalism and other destructive acts, resulting in property damage
• Any criminal act or attempted criminal act, including property damage, against public or private agencies
• Harassment, including anonymous telephone calls, threatening letters, and interruptions of religious services
• Threats made verbally, in writing, and by means of electronic communications devices which can apparently be carried out
• Murder

2. What is a Hate Incident?

A hate incident is any noncriminal act including words directed against a person(s) based on that person’s actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender. Example of hate incidents include:

• Name-calling
• Distribution of hate material in public places
• Posting of hate material that does not result in property damage
• The display of offensive material on one’s own property

3. What can be done?

Hate crimes and incidents not only affect the victim but also the community. Our country, constitution, and national character are based on tolerance and respect for the rights and needs of the individual. Hate crimes and incidents directly attack those founding principles; breeding fear, distrust, and uncertainty.

Hate crimes can be prosecuted either as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the severity of the acts committed. Local hate crimes and hate incidents are tracked by the Ventura Police Department.

Historically, hate crimes go unreported; thus, many are not prosecuted. The Ventura Police Department, the City of Ventura, the County of Ventura, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office are all committed to apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators.

Additionally, the California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act- Marsy’s Law- gives you these important legal rights:

• Get money for your losses: Apply for money to cover your property losses, medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
• Say how the crime impacted you: Tell the court how the crime impacted your life before the defendant is sentenced.
• Get information about the criminal case: Ask the prosecutor for certain information about the case.
• Get order from the court: The court can make orders that could help you, such as a protective order, to keep the defendant away from you or an order to pay attorney fees if you hired a lawyer to help with your case. The court may also order the defendant to pay you $25,000 or more for violating your civil rights. (Talk to your lawyer about your rights under the Ralph Act and the Bane Act.) You can apply for a Restraining Order at the Ventura County Government Center Superior Court, Hall of Justice, located at 800 S. Victoria Rd. You can also call 805-654-5000 or email [email protected] for more information.

4. What can you do if you witness or recognize a Hate Crime?

Report the crime to the Ventura Police Department. If the crime is in-progress, call 9-1-1. If you are reporting after the crime has been committed, please call the 24/7 non-emergency number at 805-650-8010. If you wish to stay anonymous while reporting, please report through the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

If hate crimes are not reported, they may continue.

5. If you are the victim of a Hate Crime, what should you do?

• Call 9-1-1 if the crime is in-progress
• To report after a crime has been committed, call  the Ventura Police 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010
• Seek medical attention right away (should you need it)
• Write down the exact words or phrases that were said
• Make notes about any other facts so you don’t forget them before reporting
• Save all evidence (i.e- graffiti, egg shells, writing on vehicles, etc.). If safe, wait until law enforcement arrives to take photos
• Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails of other victims and witnesses

6. Where can you find help?

• Ventura Police Department: 1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura, CA, 93003, 805-339-4400, www.venturapd.org
• California Attorney General’s Victims’ Services Unit: 877-433-9069, TTY: 800-735-2929, www.oag.ca.gov/victimservices
• California Department of Fair Employment and Housing: 800-884-1684, TTY: 800-700-2320, www.dfeh.ca.gov
• California Victim Compensation Board: 800-777-9229, www.vcgcb.ca.gov
• Ventura County District Attorney’s Office: Ventura County Victim Services, 805-654-3622, [email protected], www.victims.ca.gov/victims/counties/ventura.aspx
• U.S. Department of Justice: Community Relations Services, 202-305-2935, www.justice.gov/crs