NCJ Number
186323
Date Published
June 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A study of homicides in New South Wales, Australia, compared the characteristics of homicides that represented hate crimes against homosexual males with the characteristics of other male homicides, with emphasis on the factors associated with the incident, the victim and offender, the victim-offender relationship, and on implications for homicide prevention.
Abstract
Data sources included the National Homicide Monitoring Program at the Australian Institute of Criminology and the New South Wales Gay/Lesbian Client Consultant. The analysis focused on the 1,072 homicide incidents perpetrated by 1,163 offenders from July 1989 through June 1999 and resulting in the deaths of 1,165 victims, of whom 65 percent were male and 35 percent were female. Results revealed that the victims included 37 male victims of gay-hate related homicide and 454 male victims of other homicide. The incidence of male gay-hate related homicides has remained relatively stable over the 10-year period. The bias-related homicides were more likely to occur at a residence, to involve multiple offenders, and to result from a beating rather than a stab wound than were other male homicides. The bias-related incidents were significantly more likely than others to involve a high level of brutality. Offenders were almost three times more likely to be ages 15-17 than were other offenders; approximately 39 percent were ages 18-24. Offenders were more likely to be strangers than were other murderers. Findings suggested the need to focus on early intervention through education and training, particularly with respect to raising awareness of the problem, to reducing prejudices, and to creating an atmosphere conductive to tolerance and respect for homosexuals. Tables, notes, and 16 references