During 2021, in the state of California, 1,763 bias events were recorded, which meant that reported hate crimes in California increased by 32.6 percent from 2020 to 2021, reaching their highest level reported since 2001.
According to the 2021 California Hate Crimes Report, released by the state attorney general, Rob Bonta, highlighted that these types of crimes reported against African-American or Afro-descendant people continue to be the most frequent, and increased by 12.5 percent, from 456 in 2020 to 513 in 2021.
Meanwhile, reported anti-Asian hate crime incidents rose again dramatically, growing 177.5 percent from 2020 to 2021, from 89 to 247; while those related to sexual orientation bias also increased significantly, by 47.8 percent, from 205 to 303 in the same period.
Anti-Hispanic or Latino bias events increased 29.6 percent, growing from 152 in 2020 to 197 in 2021.
Among hate crime events involving a religious bias, those with anti-Jewish bias were the most frequent, rising 32.2 percent from 115 in 2020 to 152 in 2021.
The document states that during that period, the number of cases brought for prosecution by district attorneys and elected municipal prosecutors related to hate crime charges increased by 30.1 percent.
Amid this rise in hate crime events, Bonta urged local partners and law enforcement to review the resources currently in place and recommit to taking action.
In a statement, the attorney general said he continues to bring together law enforcement, elected leaders and community organizations at the local level across the state to help raise awareness about available resources and strengthen responses to hate crimes in California.
Bonta also formally announced the creation of a statewide hate crimes coordinator position within the California Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Division to further assist state and local law enforcement in combating hate crimes.
“Today’s report shows beyond a doubt that the epidemic of hate we saw unleashed during the pandemic remains a clear and present threat,” Bonta said. “In fact, reported hate crimes have reached a level we have not seen in California since the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.”
“We will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and community organizations to ensure that all Californians feel seen, heard, and protected. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, it is up to all of us to heed the call, because when our communities feel empowered, they step up. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand together – there is no place for hate in California,” she stressed.
The California Department of Justice has collected and reported statewide data on hate crimes since 1995. Under California law, a hate crime is a criminal act committed in whole or in part because of a person's actual or perceived disability, gender, national origin, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with someone with one or more of these characteristics.
Hate crimes are distinct from hate incidents, which are actions or behaviors motivated by hate that may be protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.
Examples of hate incidents include name-calling and distribution of hateful material in public places. If a hate incident begins to threaten a person or property, it can become a hate crime.
Historically, hate crime data has been underreported and the California Department of Justice recognizes that the data presented in its reports may not adequately reflect the actual number of hate crime events occurring in the state.
However, he noted that it is important to note that the total number of reported hate crime events in 2021 is the sixth highest ever recorded and the highest since hate crime events spiked in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This publication was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
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