The FBI report shows a rise in bias-related crimes based on race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity and religion. Gender-bias is not included and is not even legally recognized as a hate crime. Across the United States, women are targets of hate crimes every day.
Hate crimes have a chilling effect on every woman's life.
Women charging state and local authorities with failure or refusal to enforce the law, especially restraining orders, reportedly make up the largest number of complaints received by the Office of Violence Against Women at the Justice Department. Additionally, the office has received complaints alleging that some local law enforcement personnel have covered up hate crimes against women. Today we are calling on the Department of Justice to take a stand for women's lives and reminding Attorney General John Ashcroft that we are keeping an eye on him and expect him to uphold the Constitution and rigorously enforce hate crimes laws. Sign up to receive these press releases by email.