Bias Crime Assessment: A Tool and Guidelines for Law Enforcement and Concerned Communities
Publication Date: 2018
Abstract: The Bias Crime Assessment Tool (BCAT) can be used whether or not victimization seems to be a result of a hate incident or a hate crime. Hate crimes are any criminal offenses motivated by bias, hostility, or prejudice against a protected class. Hate incidents do not involve criminal behavior. To determine whether a full assessment is appropriate, the BCAT begins with brief screening questions. If answered affirmatively, the assessor should proceed to gather information from the victim. BCAT was designed to improve the reporting of hate incidents and crimes and is intended to be used in a wide variety of settings including schools and campuses, law enforcement, victim advocacy, community and civil rights advocacy, health care, or other social service agencies that may be responsible for identifying and responding to victims of hate.