Characteristics of Hate Crimes Involving Juveniles: Findings from the National Hate Crime Investigations Study (NHCIS)

• In Event: Bias Victimization and Hate Crimes Affecting Communities across the U.S

Abstract

Hate crimes are egregious acts in which victims are targeted because of their race, ethnicity, immigrant-status, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or gender-orientation. The National Hate Crime Investigations Study (NHCIS) collected data from a representative sample of 2,488 law enforcement agencies across the country, stratified by agency size, and 1,230 hate crimes cases investigated in 2018. Analyses for the current paper examined differences between juvenile- and adult-perpetrated hate crimes. Findings indicated that roughly 1 in 10 hate crimes investigated by police involved a primary youth suspect under the age of 18. Incidents ranged from hate-based graffiti and bias-based bullying, to egregious crimes that had the potential to escalate to serious injury and harm to victims. Approximately 50% of youth-perpetrated hate crimes occurred at school locations compared to >1% of adult-perpetrated crimes, and a higher percentage of crimes involved online behavior or new technology. Implications of the findings for schools, justice organizations, and other advocacy groups interested in preventing youth involvement in hate and bias crime perpetration are discussed.

Authors

• Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire

• Kimberly Mitchell, Crimes against Children Research Center

• Heather Turner, University of New Hampshire