Augusta, GA (WJBF) – Hate crime laws can be categorized in two ways across CSRA. Georgia 2 years ago she lost one. South Carolina is one of two states without hate crime laws. But how often do they actually occur and get reported?
“The FBI takes hate crimes very seriously and prioritizes hate crimes.In fact, they are the top priority of the Civil Rights Division,” said Mark Benjamin, Superintendent of Special Agents for the Atlanta FBI. .
New data released by the FBI shows prejudice-motivated cases nationwide reported by more than 11,000 law enforcement agencies. The agency said the most reported hate crimes were threats, simple assaults, and vandalism or vandalism of property. And Peach State reflects a nation with some more prejudices.
Special Agent Benjamin added, “Crimes based on race, sexual orientation, and religion are the top three.”
In South Carolina, over 400 agencies reported the same top three incidents. Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation. That’s the decline from 2020 to last year. Anti-Black or African-American, anti-Sikh, and anti-gay men topped last year’s bias list. The highest crime is domestic violence by white people.
In Georgia, prejudice has been reported to increase in recent years, with last year’s top categories being anti-black or African-American, anti-white, and anti-gay men. Crime is primarily home intimidation and is committed by whites.
“Our primary concern with hate crimes is to ensure that the victims of such crimes receive justice,” Benjamin said. “So if you feel you have been the victim of a hate crime, you should contact the FBI.”
Under Georgia’s hate crimes law, anyone convicted can face prison terms and fines of up to $5,000. Even though South Carolina’s proposed Clementa C. Pinkney Hate Crime Act passed the House, it stalled in the Senate last year.
If you believe you are a victim or witness to a hate crime, we encourage you to call 1-800-CALL-FBI to report it to the FBI.
