NCJ Number
235641
Date Published
2009
Length
44 pages
Annotation
In presenting data on the scope and characteristics of hate crime in Kentucky for calendar year 2008, this report incorporates both official statistics from law enforcement agencies and anecdotal evidence provided by State and national human rights organizations.
Abstract
Kentucky law on hate crimes reflects the Federal definition used by the FBI under the Uniform Crime Reports Program. A hate crime or bias crime involves "a criminal offense committed against a person or property that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin." Data reported by Kentucky law enforcement agencies under the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports Program indicate that 64 hate-crime incidents occurred in the State in 2008. Between 2007 and 2008, the number of hate crimes in the State increased 16 percent. In 2008, race was the most common motivation for hate crimes in the State (60 percent). Of these incidents, 95 percent were anti-Black. The second most common hate-crime motivation was sexual orientation (31 percent of incidents). Of these incidents, 70 percent were anti-male homosexual, and 10 percent were anti-female homosexual. Forty-three percent of all hate crimes in Kentucky occurred in a residence/home; 14 percent occurred in a highway/road/alley/street. Forty-two percent of the offenses involved intimidation, and 37 percent involved property destruction/damage/vandalism. Eighty-four percent of hate-crime victims were individuals. 17 tables, 4 figures, and 28 references