NCJ Number
117122
Date Published
1988
Length
95 pages
Annotation
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of B'nai B'rith tracks anti-Semitic vandalism, publishes annual reports reflecting trends in reported anti-Semitic vandalism and violence, and has developed a model hate crime bill.
Abstract
Audits conducted over the first 3 years of tracking revealed a substantial increase in reported anti-Semitic vandalism and violence (120 incidents in 1979, 377 in 1980, and 974 in 1981). In response to this increasing trend, ADL's counteraction program focuses on media exposure, education, more effective law enforcement, and active support of new legislation to combat anti-Semitic and racist crimes. In 1981, ADL's Legal Affairs Department drafted a model hate crime bill for introduction in State legislatures. Thirty-three States now have some form of institutional vandalism statute; 31 have enacted intimidation or harassment statutes, many States have multiple statutes in this area; and 17 States have legislation based on or similar to the ADL model. ADL's model legislation focuses on institutional vandalism, intimidation, civil action for victims, parental liability, bias crime reporting and training statutes, Federal legislative initiatives, and law enforcement response to hate crimes. It is concluded that the fundamental cause of hate violence in the United States is the persistence of racism, bigotry, and anti-Semitism. The long-term solution to hate violence involves education and experience. Appendixes contain the revised ADL model legislation, a chart and listing of State statutes, a compilation of State statutes, and Federal legislation.