Hate-Bias Incident/Crimes Procedure

Under the federal statutes of the United States, a hate crime is defined as violence of intolerance and prejudice, intended to hurt and intimidate, committed against a person, property or society that is motivated by an offender’s bias against a specific characteristic of an individual or a group because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age or physical or mental disability.  Hate crimes are criminal offenses that include acts such as physical assault, stalking, cyberstalking, criminal threatening, intimidation, terrorizing, criminal use of explosives, arson, vandalism or other damage to property, reckless conduct, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or hate mail.

A bias incident is any event of intolerance or prejudice, not involving violence or other criminal conduct, intended to threaten, offend or intimidate another because of the other’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or physical or mental disability. Examples of bias incidents include hate speech, gay bashing, racist epithets, religious slurs, sexist jokes or cartoons, hate mail, offensive graffiti, or disparaging remarks on social media sites.  Such incidents create a socially divisive atmosphere for members of the community targeted and negatively affect the campus climate.

Discovery of a possible hate/bias incident or crime should be reported to Bates Security immediately at x6254.

• Bates Security will initiate an appropriate investigation by interviewing all witnesses and securing/preserving the evidence.
• The Dean of Student’s office will be notified immediately.
• The Lewiston Police Department (LPD) will be notified as well.
• The LPD will come on scene and make an initial determination as to whether a hate bias incident/crime has taken place.
• No hateful writing and or symbols will be removed until authorized by appropriate authority.
• Bates Security’s initial report will be provided by fax to the Maine Attorney General’s office.