In First Month Since Official Launch, California vs Hate Receives 180 Reports of Hate Acts Across California and Connects Californians with Support
Nearly half of all individuals who reported an act of hate accepted care coordination services, including direct and ongoing support accessing legal aid or counseling
Californians can visit CAvsHate.org or call 833-8-NO-HATE for resources, to anonymously report acts of hate, and receive assistance in more than 200 languages
SACRAMENTO – The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today released preliminary data from the California vs Hate Resource Line and Network (CA vs Hate) showing 180 acts of hate were reported to the hotline last month. CA vs Hate is a new multilingual statewide hotline and online portal that provides a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts. Building on historic state investments into anti-hate programs, CA vs Hate was officially launched last month in direct response to the rise in reported hate crimes in California, which in recent years, reached their highest levels since 2001 — jumping almost 33% from 2020 to 2021.
“Make no mistake: Hate and discrimination remain a threat across the country,” said CRD Director Kevin Kish. “However, here in California, you’re not alone in the face of hate. Through CA vs Hate, we’re able to directly connect people who report to resources and support. In the hotline’s first official month, nearly half of all people who reported hate acts to our office accepted care coordination services from trained staff. No place is immune to hate, but in California, we’re committed to doing everything in our power to uplift, protect, and heal all our communities.”
While hate crime statistics are reported on a state and federal level each year, many hate crimes have historically gone unreported due to a variety of factors, including fear of retaliation, lack of culturally competent resources, and distrust of law enforcement. CA vs Hate aims to help address some of these issues by offering people targeted for hate — and their communities — additional resources to report acts of hate through a community-centered approach that does not require engagement with the criminal legal system. Whether individuals report to CA vs Hate online or by phone, they are eligible to receive care coordination to ensure people impacted by hate are able to access resources and support, including legal, financial, mental health, and mediation services. Importantly, in contrast to local police departments or sheriff’s offices, CA vs Hate accepts all reports of hate acts and is not limited to only receiving reports that rise to the level of a criminal offense. In 2021, there was a reported total of 1,763 hate crime events — i.e., acts of hate that rose to the level of a crime — statewide. At the national level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported nearly 11,000 hate crimes in 2021.
During May 2023, CA vs Hate was contacted by hundreds of individuals through the hotline and online portal. Key preliminary highlights from the data over that period include:
- CA vs Hate received 180 reports of hate acts across California. Of those reports, 102 were made over the phone and 78 were made via the online portal.
- Nearly half of all individuals who reported an act of hate accepted care coordination services, including direct and ongoing support accessing legal aid or counseling.
- Of the reports where county information was provided, nearly 40% of California's counties were represented in the preliminary data, including all 10 of the state's most populated counties.
- Among the reasons cited for the report, race and ethnicity were the most reported bias motivations, followed by religion and sexual orientation.
- Approximately one in six reports were made by a witness or advocate. Most reports were made by an individual who reported being targeted for an act of hate.
CA vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (833) 866-4283, or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT or online at any time. Hate acts can be reported in 15 different languages through the online portal and in over 200 languages when calling the hotline. For individuals who want to report a hate crime to law enforcement immediately or who are in imminent danger, please call 911. For more information on CA vs Hate, please visit CAvsHate.org.
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CRD is the state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws. Formerly known as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the mission of CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state-fund programs and activities, and from hate violence and human trafficking. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov.