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This Committee does not provide
Legal Advice or Legal Services |
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Hate Crimes / Violent Relationships
Violent Relationships.
Many people think violent relationships only happen between men and women; but
it can happen to anyone—gay or straight, young or old, rich or poor, female or
male. It happens to people of all races and in all cultures of the world.
Domestic violence happens when one person believes they can control another
person, using certain tactics to establish power through fear and intimidation.
It can include, but is not limited to, the threat or actual use of physical
violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and isolation. Also, homophobia or
heterosexism within society may enforce the silence that surrounds same-sex
domestic violence.
Nobody deserves to be in an abusive situation. This brochure provides examples
of how an buser might try to establish power or control over their partner. No
two abusive situations are the same, and abusers may use many, some, or just a
few of these behaviors, as well as other kinds of abuse. If you feel you
are in an abusive relationship please contact
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What is a Hate Crime?
A hate crime is a criminal offense committed against persons, property or
society that is motivated, in whole or in part, by an offender's bias against an
individual's or a group's race, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender, age,
disability or sexual orientation. Hate crimes include not only violence against
individuals or groups but also crimes against property, such as arson or
vandalism, particularly those directed against community centers or houses of
worship.
Currently the State of Georgia does not have a Hate Crime Statute.
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Special Concerns for
Victims of Hate Crime.
Similar to violence directed toward those for ethnic, religious or for any
reasons found inherent in the victim's inner-self, anti-gay and lesbian violence
may pit the victims against themselves. The feelings of vulnerability due to
criminal reactions by others can lead to stress and self-dehumanization. The
victim viewing himself or herself as perpetually vulnerable or that his or her
existence is the cause of this violence is unhealthy and maladaptive. It is
important that they not fall into the common trap of self-blame and recognize
that their orientation did not lead to the attack, but rather consider "that
this was not a random attack, but a pre-meditated, purposeful act aimed
at...their community" (Serving Victims of Bias Crimes, 1992).
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Considerations for
Victims of Hate Crime
The victim has the right to not report an incident if he or she so chooses. If
the attack requires hospitalization, medical service providers may be required
to report the incident to the police. If so, the victim may identify the attack
as hate-related or not. There are several arguments for reporting the incident
as hate-related. Without documentation as to the prevalence of anti-gay or
lesbian violence, there is less justification for legislation to be enacted
which will hopefully decrease the frequency of these crimes. Just as legislation
requires justification to be enacted, so do programs set up in response to
specific problems. Without input from victims, community patrols or other
programs may be suspended. On an interpersonal level, increased exposure to gays
and lesbians may work toward dispelling negative stereotypes, and thus reduce a
perceived threat to would-be offenders.
For more information contact The National Center for the
Victims of Crime:
http://www.ncvc.org/
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