What is a Hate Crime?

A Hate Crime is a criminal offence that manifests evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator's bias against the victim. Although there are many possible categories of bias, under the Clery Act, only the following eight categories are reported. Bias toward these specific groups are defined below:

• Race- A preformed negative attitude toward a group of persons who possess common physical characteristics, e.g. color of skin, eyes, and/or hair; facial features, etc., genetically transmitted by descent and heredity which distinguish them as a distinct division of humankind, e.g. Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Whites.
• Religion- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons who shares the same religions beliefs regarding the origin and purpose of the universe and the existence or nonexistence of a supreme being, e.g. Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Atheists.
• Ethnicity- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of person whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, common culture (often including a shared religion), and/or ideology that stresses common ancestry.
• Sexual Orientation- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
• Gender- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a person or group of persons based on their actual or perceived gender, e.g. male or female.
• Gender Identity- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a person or group of persons based on their actual or perceived gender identity, e.g. bias against transgender or gender non-conforming individuals.
• National Origin- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of people based on their actual or perceived county of birth.
• Disability- A preformed negative opinion or attitude toward a group of persons based on their physical or mental impairments, where such a disability is temporary or permanent, congenital or acquired by heredity, accident, injury, advanced age, or illness. 

For the purposes of reporting under the Clery Act, Hate Crimes include any of the following offenses that are motivated by bias: Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Arson, Larceny-Theft, Destruction, Damage or Vandalism of Property, Intimidation, and Simple Assault. 

Bias-related incidents may not meet the definition of a Hate Crime above but may violate other University of Arizona policies. If you have questions, please reach out to contacts listed in the Disciplinary/Grievance Complaints section below.  

The University of Arizona's Nondiscrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy

The University of Arizona is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination. In support of this commitment, the University prohibits discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, based on a protected classification, including race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics), age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. The University encourages anyone who believes they have been the subject of discrimination to report the matter immediately using the resources below. All members of the University community are responsible for participating in creating a campus environment free from all forms of prohibited discrimination and for cooperating with University officials who investigate allegations of policy violations.

Read the Full Nondiscrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy

Victims' Rights & Options