A hate crime is defined as a bias-motivated crime perpetrated by someone who targets a victim because of his or her race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender or gender identity. A crime can be defined as hate-motivated even if the victim is not a member of any of the above listed groups, but is perceived to be by the perpetrator.

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The Suffolk DA’s Office takes allegations of any bias-motivated crime seriously and has a strong record of investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of hate crimes.

Hate crime victims may suffer from any or all of the following: physical assaults, property damage, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or offensive graffiti. These kinds of crimes typically affect not only the targeted victim, but also instill fear in the minority group or community of which the member is a part.

Crimes motivated by hate or prejudice are serious violations of the law. Please report hate crimes immediately to your local police department and to the Suffolk DA’s Office at (617) 619-4200.

Liaison to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Communities

In response to concerns in the LGBT communities about crime, violence and overall treatment of LGBT issues by law enforcement authorities, the Suffolk County DA’s office designates a specially-trained victim witness advocate to act as the office’s liaison to the to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.

The LGBT liaison is charged with tracking any cases with LGBT victims. The liaison consults internally with prosecutors, investigators, and fellow victim advocates to ensure that each victim and each witness in the community is served with individualized dignity, sensitivity, compassion, and attention – whether in the fast-paced district courts or in more serious cases routed to Superior Court.

For more information about the LGBT liaison, please contact the Victim Witness Assistance Program at: (617) 619-4200.

Additional Resources

Fenway Health Violence Recovery Program
The VRP provides counseling, support groups, advocacy, and referral services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) victims of bias crime, domestic violence, sexual assault and police misconduct.
Phone: (617) 927 – 6250

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
The MTPC is dedicated to ending discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.
Phone: (617) 778 – 0519

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division
The AG’s Civil Rights Division works to end discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age and disability, and to ensure equal and meaningful opportunity to each Massachusetts resident to participate in a civic society in areas such as education, housing, employment, financial services, healthcare, transportation, voting and marriage. The office also works to protect individual rights of free speech and privacy.
Phone: (617) 727 – 2200