Sonoma State University

Hate Crimes

Sonoma State University Police Department maintains Hate Crime Information and Statistics in accordance to 13023(C) PC. Please find monthly statistics here.

What is our policy

It is the policy of Sonoma State University Police Department to safeguard the rights of all individuals irrespective of their disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias should be viewed very seriously and given high priority.

This department will employ reasonably available resources and vigorous law enforcement action to identify and arrest hate crime perpetrators. Also, recognizing the particular fears and distress typically suffered by victims, the potential for reprisal and escalation of violence, and the far-reaching negative consequences of these crimes on the community, this department should take all reasonable steps to attend to the security and related concerns of the immediate victims and their families as feasible.

What is a hate crime?

“Hate crime” includes but is not limited to a violation of Penal Code § 422.6, and means a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim:

  • Disability 
  • Gender
  • Nationality
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Sexual orientation
  • Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics:

“Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics" includes advocacy for, identification with, or being on the premises owned or rented by, or adjacent to, any of the following: a community center, educational facility, family, individual, office, meeting hall, place of worship, private institution, public agency, library, or other entity, group, or person that has, or is identified with people who have, one or more of the characteristics listed in the definition of “hate crime” under paragraphs 1 to 6, inclusive, of Penal Code § 422.55(a).

Note: A “hate crime” need not be motivated by hate but may be motivated by any bias against a protected characteristic.

What is a hate incident?

Hate incident - A hate incident is an action or behavior motivated by hate or bias but legally protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. Examples of hate incidents include:

• Name-calling

• Insults and epithets

• Distributing hate materials in public places

• Displaying hate material on your own property