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Hate crimes have been a part of the Clery Act since it was first enacted 20 years ago, but due to the limited scope of reporting, the resulting data hasn’t been especially useful.
Beginning with data for the 2009 calendar year (and earlier years if an institution had already collected it), institutions now must report statistics for four additional categories of crime that are more commonly bias related than the main Clery crimes. These crimes are only required to be reported if they are motivated by bias.
Hate Crime Definitions
Larceny/Theft: The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. (Note: Constructive possession is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th ed. as “where one does not have physical custody or possession, but is in a position to exercise dominion or control over a thing.”)
- Pocket-picking: The theft of articles from another person’s physical possession by stealth where the victim usually does not become immediately aware of the theft.
- Purse-snatching: The grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person.
- Shoplifting: The theft, by someone other than an employee of the victim, of goods or merchandise exposed for sale.
- Theft From Building: A theft from within a building that is either open to the general public or where the offender has legal access.
- Theft From Coin Operated Machine or Device: A theft from a machine or device that is operated or activated by the use of coins.
- Theft From Motor Vehicle (Except “Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts or Accessories”): The theft of articles from a motor vehicle, whether locked or unlocked.
- Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts or Accessories: The theft of any part or accessory affixed to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner that would make the item an attachment of the vehicle, or necessary for its operation.
- All Other Larceny: All thefts that do not fit any of the definitions of the specific subcategories of Larceny/Theft listed above.
Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook, 2004; U.S. Department of Justice
Simple Assault: An unlawful physical attack by one person upon another where neither the offender displays a weapon, nor the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness.
Intimidation: To unlawfully place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words and/or other conduct, but without displaying a weapon or subjecting the victim to actual physical attack.
Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property (Except “Arson”): To willfully or maliciously destroy, damage, deface, or otherwise injure real or personal property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it.
Source: Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines, October 1999; U.S. Department of Justice
