Hate CrimesHate CrimesBias Motivated IncidentsBias Motivated Incidents

University Security

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Hate Crimes & Bias-motivated Hate Crimes & Bias-motivated Incidents DefinedIncidents Defined

Hate crime generally defined as a crime which in whole or part is motivated by the offender’s bias toward the victim’s status.

Bias motivated incident is an action in which a person is made aware that her/his status is offensive to another, but does not rise to the level of a crime

Hate CrimesHate Crimes

Murder, Manslaughter, Robbery, AggravatedAssault, Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Arson,Forcible & Non-forcible Sex Offenses, IntimidationsDestruction, Damage or Vandalism of Property &any other crimes involving injury to any personor property in which the victim is intentionallyselected because of actual or perceived race, gender,religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability ofthe victim.

Bias-motivated IncidentsBias-motivated Incidents

Incident that do not fall into one of the crime

categories, hate offenses are referred to as

bias-motivated incidents. May include:Minor harassmentVerbal slurs

May be precursors to more serious hate

motivated violence

Reporting Hate Crimes & Reporting Hate Crimes & Bias-motivated IncidentsBias-motivated Incidents

Some occur without ever being officially reported

Some don’t report because they want to put the incident behind them

Others not aware of or do not have access to proper resources which can offer assistance

How Do We How Do We Increase Reporting?Increase Reporting?

Make it as easy as possibleConfidential reporting?Make sure victims know who they can

report these crimes or incidents toProvide victims with choice of pressing

charges or taking some other actionWhen incidents do happen, send a clear

message strongly condemning

Campus ResponseCampus Response

Notify University Security Notify Mankato Police Members who may be involved:

Security Director, Vice President of Student Affairs, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Legal Counsel, Others dependant on nature of incident (e.g. American Intercultural Center, LGBT Center Director etc.)

Campus Response cont’dCampus Response cont’d

Victim Assistance Resources– Staff trained to address

Special considerations– Adequately implement response– President’s strong public position in support

Demonstrates commitment

Campus Response cont’dCampus Response cont’dCommunication & media relations

– Reduce rumors– Provide accurate & timely information– Work w/ Media Relations & Cabinet to develop

appropriate communications– Take seriously, quick response crucial– Offenders look for reaction from community &

if ignored easily conclude others sympathetic to ideology

Bias Incident Example Bias Incident Example

A Resident Assistant finds that someone has scrawled “KKK” on the lobby wall of a residence hall.

Hate Crime ExampleHate Crime Example

Several students come into your office to report that someone sent threatening email messages to specific minority & international students, opening with the line,

“Your time is up”

“Go back home”

Hate Crime ExampleHate Crime Example

Last night a group of white men shout racial slurs at four international students outside of a bar in downtown Mankato, ending in a fight.

All four students were injured & taken to the hospital. Two of the students remain in the hospital.