Hate crimes double in CA from 2019-2023; reporting low in rural areas

State promotes CA vs Hate hotline
The CAvsHate telephone hotline connects people with culturally-competent services in 200 languages. Photo Credit: CA Civil Rights Dept.

Suzanne Potter
California News Service

State data show that hate-crime reports almost doubled between 2019 and 2023 – so the Civil Rights Division is promoting its new CA vs Hate hotline. Since its launch in May 2023 – the hotline has received more than 1,000 reports of hate incidents – but almost none from rural counties such as Del Norte, Sutter and Mariposa.

Kevin Kish, director of the California Civil Rights Department, said the state is partnering with community groups to increase trust.

“We know that when people are afraid, when they feel isolated, it is unlikely for them to turn to government, at least not without a trusted intermediary who helps them do that,” he explained.

Kish added that people who fail to report hate incidents may worry they won’t be taken seriously, they may have a language barrier, or fear contacting the authorities. The hotline number is 8-3-3-8-no hate. It is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. or you can report on the website, CA vs hate.org.

Gaonou Vang, communications and narrative manager with the grassroots organization Hmong Innovating Politics, said the Trump administration’s focus on mass deportation worries many in the Hmong community.

“This continues to really deeply affect our communities, further perpetrating stigmatization, stereotypes and extreme xenophobia that we have faced since the beginning of the pandemic and beyond,” Vang said.

The hotline connects people to legal services, counseling and mental health resources, financial assistance and community-based organizations. It will only refer people to law enforcement upon request, and callers are not asked for immigration status.

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