Speak Up and Stand Against Hate Booklet

SPEAK UP and STAND UP HATE against

Hate Crimes: Recognize, Respond, Report

What is a Hate Crime?

Hate Crimes are defined by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) as: ”Any criminal offense committed against a person or property which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.”

In Utah, longer sentences may be imposed on someone convicted of a crime proven to have been motivated by a person’s race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, sex, and/or age.

Effects Hate Crimes Have on Victims

• Fear of attending worship and/or wearing distinguishing religious attire or symbols

• Abstaining from publicly expressing culture or identity

• Self-censorship in school, at the workplace, in social settings, or on social media

• The need to invest in hardened security measures in public areas devoted to a specific religious people (youth programs, schools, religious buildings)

• Worry and anxiety about becoming a victim

• Avoidance of certain places

Hate Crime or Incident?

The First Amendment provides broad protections for free speech. However, speech that does not rise to the level of a hate crime may still constitute a hate incident. Hate incidents can have similar effects on victims. If you are the victim of a hate incident, contacting your local law enforcement is still recomended.

Examples of Hate Crimes

• Physical violence

• Bullying

• Threats (including online)

• Phone harassment

• Hate mail (including e-mail)

• Vandalism

• Destruction of property

DEFINITIONS

Examples of Hate Incidents

• Name-calling

• Displaying hate symbols on your property

• Distributing material with hate messages in public.

• Insults

• Imitating a disability or a cultural practice

Antisemitism: Dislike of, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.

Bigotry: Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.

Free Speech: The freedom of individuals or communities to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or sanction.

Hate Incident: Acts of hostile words or acts that are not crimes and do not involve violence, threats, or property damage.

Hate Speech: Speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, or disability.

Homophobia: Dislike of, or prejudice against homosexual people.

Islamophobia: Dislike of, or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force.

Misogyny: Dislike of, or contempt for or ingrained prejudice against women.

Prejudice: Dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior deriving from unfounded opinions, often directed toward people in a certain identity group.

Racism: Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.

Stereotype: The false idea that all members of a group are the same and think and behave in the same way.

Transphobia: Dislike of, or prejudice against transgender people.

Vandalism: Action involving deliberate destruction or damage to property.

Xenophobia: Dislike of, or prejudice against people from other countries.

against HATE

Every person has the power to make an impact. No action is too small to have widespread effects, and even the slightest effort can make a large difference. Here are some small changes you can make in your behavior to help make the world a better place:

Be Better

Evening the score is never the right answer. Don’t respond to hate with more hate. Instead, use the experience as an opportunity to rise above hatred and lead by positive example.

Support Targets

If you witness someone who is a victim of prejudice, offer them your support. Sometimes the most important thing you can do for someone who is being bullied is to let them know they are not alone.

Be a Role Model

Behave in a way that sets an example for your friends. By refusing to use stereotypes, hateful speech, or labels, you can serve as a role model for how others should behave. Your words, whether you realize it or not, have a strong impact on the world around you. Be mindful to use your words to make a positive difference rather than a negative one.

Don’t Participate

Even if you are not acting hateful, but are a witness to prejudice instead. While you may not be the one displaying negative behavior, you can still make a difference by refusing to participate. Don’t laugh, stare, or cheer on the hateful behavior.

Be Uncomfortable

Acknowledging our own biases can be uncomfortable, but is important for our personal growth. Be an active participant in the world around you by taking notice of behavior or actions you feel are wrong, harmful, or hateful. Use the discomfort as a tool to evaluate your own behavior – and the behavior of those around you.

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

Albert Einstein

PARENTS: TEACH CHILDREN

NO CHILD is BORN with predetermined

HATRED

or PREJUDICE

Children are molded by what they witness around them. Everything a child experiences or observes influences their knowledge and opinions. This is why everything a child is exposed to (insults, bigotry, name-calling) can have farreaching effects on how they view the world, relate to others and their own self-image.

Teaching children that even subtle forms of hate are wrong, and to challenge prejudice are the first steps in preventing more extreme hatred in the future.

As a parent, you shape your children’s views, beliefs, and values with your behavior daily. These tips can help you when talking to your child about fighting against prejudice and hatred:

TO RISE ABOVE THE HATE

Study Yourself

A first step is to study yourself. Consider if you have unintended biases about race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or people with disabilities.

Be sure you are being a positive example and are prepared for deeper conversations with your child.

Study Others

It is important to speak up to those around you. If friends or family members in your child’s life practice hateful speech or prejudice, ask them to stop. Explain to your child why the behavior was problematic.

Discuss World Events

Exposure to social media makes it essential to talk with your child about world events. Hate permeates the news cycle. Create a safe space for your child to discuss their thoughts.

Celebrate Diversity

Expose your child to people from diverse backgrounds. There is a lot to learn from those who are different. Teach your child about the positive way diversity continues to shape the United States.

Prepare Them

Many children are victims of hate speech, prejudice, or bigotry. Give them tools to handle this by affirming their dignity, self-worth, and importance, and identify the steps they should take, including asking adults for help.

Periodically Ask

Check in with your child to make sure they are doing okay and ask them if they have experienced instances of hate.

Encourage Action

Teach your child that they have the power to make a difference. Share examples of social change and how small efforts can impact larger causes.

Make Room

Help your child understand the importance of empathy and how supporting another person does not mean sacrificing their own well-being.

Don’t Ignore

Call out your child if they apply stereotypes or labels. Address the behavior sensitively and help them to see the negative impact of their actions on other people.

Reporting Hate Crimes is CRITICAL

DON’T be

SILENT

Without an understanding of what kinds of hate crimes and incidents communities are experiencing, law enforcement and other organizations can’t respond appropriately, or work to prevent future incidences.

Ongoing Challenge

Underreporting is a serious barrier to addressing hate crimes. The DOJ estimated in 2017 that the US experienced an estimated 250,000 hate crime victimizations annually from 2004 to 2015.

Lack of Data

In 2021, the FBI initially reported 7,303 hate crimes before using supplementary data to show 10,840 hate crimes. The initial report showed only 65% of law enforcement agencies submitted data compared with 93% in 2020, with New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago reporting a combined 0 hate crimes. Most non-zero reporting agencies showed an increase in hate crimes.

Spike in Violence

Violent hate crimes have also increased. Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, Buffalo’s Tops Supermarket, and Colorado Springs’ Club-Q nightclub have become synonymous with hate.

Reported Hate Crime Incidents, By State, 2021

Source: Center for Study of Hate and Extremism at CSUSB

Nationally: Utah:

In 2022

149 Reported Hate Crimes in Utah

44 Reported Hate Crimes in Salt Lake County

20 Reported Hate Crimes in Salt Lake City

2,602 Estimated Hate Crimes based on the DOJ data estimate

66.7% Hate Crimes are crimes against individuals

From 2013-2022

Salt Lake Supports

You

“Salt Lake City is the incredible place it is thanks to the people who call it home — people from diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. I’m grateful to these communities for their work to make our capital city the welcoming place it is. Salt Lake City unequivocally rejects hate, intolerance, and intimidation in any form.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall

“The Salt Lake City Police Department stands united in our fight against hate crimes. We are committed to inclusion and unity. We vow to thoroughly investigate hate crimes, to support survivors and to build a future where hate is rejected and where all individuals can live without fear of discrimination or violence.”

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown

“Hate crimes are different from other crimes. Hate crimes are a violent virus that have three victims: the person targeted in the attack, the community or group to which the person belongs, and those who live where the crime occurred. There is no place for hate in Salt Lake County.”

Salt Lake County Attorney Sim Gill

How to Report?

To report a hate crime or incident, contact the police. Law enforcement cannot investigate hate crimes unless we report them. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, your local law enforcement is ready to respond and to support victims.

What to Expect when Reporting to the Police

When reporting to the police, be prepared answers questions such as: who, what, when, and where, so that the police can better respond to the incident. An officer will respond to create an incident report and investigate the incident. If they suspect it is a hate crime, the officer will notify their supervisor.

Need support but don’t want to press charges?

Contact your police department’s victim advocates. The SLCPD Victim Advocates can be reached at 801-580-7969 and is free and anonymous.

Other Resources

• The FBI: Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips to tips@fbi.gov

• The Anti-Defamation League: Report online at www.adl.org/reportincident

• Your County Attorney: Find their contact information at upc.utah.gov/contacts-county-attorneys.php

SPEAK UP to STAND UP against HATE

SPEAK UP and STAND UP against HATE

Developed through a cooperative effort between the United Jewish Federation of Utah and its Community Partners Against Hate, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Police Department, the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office

Developed through a cooperative effort between the Salt Lake District Attorney’s Office and the United Jewish Federation of Utah

In an emergency, or if you are witnessing a crime in progress call 911

If you believe you have been a victim of a hate crime or know someone who has, report the incident to law enforcement immediately.

If you believe you, or someone you know, have been a victim of a hate crime report the incident to law enforcement immediately.

Lake City

799-3000

Lake County

743-7000

Funded by the United Jewish Federation of Utah, Salt Lake City, and the Salt Lake County District Attorney. For over 80 years, the United Jewish Federation of Utah has been working to build, connect, and support our Jewish community. The Antisemitism Task Force and Community Partners Against Hate are committed to responding to and preventing antisemitism and all forms of bigotry and hatred in Utah.

Funded by the United Jewish Federation of Utah and the Salt Lake County District Attorney. For over 75 years the United Jewish Federation of Utah has been working to build, connect, and support our Jewish community. Our Anti-Semitism and Community Relations Task Force is committed to responding to and preventing anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hatred in Utah.