Hate Crime Legislation

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…post 9/11 era. In 1996 the Anti-Defamation League added gender to its model hate crimes legislation. The League chose to add gender after coming to the conclusion that gender-based hate crimes could not be easily distinguished from other forms of hate motivated violence. Gender-based crimes, like other hate crimes, have a special impact that extends beyond the original victim. The inclusion of gender is important because it sends the message that gender-based crimes will not be tolerated.