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Hate Crimes

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021

AAPI Heritage Month
NSA

Combating Hate Crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities

See the Community Policing Dispatch e-newsletter of the same title, by Nazmia E. Comrie, Senior Program Specialist, The COPS Office.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fostered an environment filled with anxiety, stress, and pain. In addition to the challenges everyone faces in their day-to-day activities, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have seen an increase in hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents including harassment, property damage, and violence because of a stigma around the geographic origins of COVID-19.

Hate crimes have a broader impact than other types of crimes, on both the immediate victim and others like them. They not only destroy lives and devastate families; they also traumatize the communities in which they occur. These acts make groups suspicious and fearful of one another. Hate crimes make targeted communities reluctant to engage in civic life or work with law enforcement to investigate and prevent crime.

On January 26, 2021, President Joe Biden issued the Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The Memorandum directs the Attorney General to explore opportunities to support State and local agencies, AAPI communities, and community-based organizations in their efforts to prevent discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI individuals. In addition, the Memorandum calls for expanding data collection and public reporting about hate incidents.

 

"The Federal Government must recognize that it has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons."

—President Joe Biden

 

Encouraging the reporting of incidents and crimes will allow communities and law enforcement to fully understand the scope of the problem and put resources toward preventing and addressing attacks based on bias and hate. Once reported to law enforcement, it is important that all known hate crimes be investigated swiftly and appropriately. Properly and compassionately investigating and responding to hate crimes is vital to creating and maintaining trust between law enforcement and communities.

Public messaging in the aftermath of a potential hate crime is crucial to build and maintain community trust in law enforcement. Proper messaging and response can ground a community which may be feeling vulnerable as the result of being the target of a crime.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is committed to addressing the increase in AAPI hate crimes. The resources below will tell you more about DOJ’s upcoming response.

Updated November 18, 2022