Who needs California Hate Violence publications?
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) recommends posting the California Hate Violence Fact Sheet Poster or distributing the Pamphlet to employees and the public to educate their workers and patrons about the laws that prohibit acts of hate violence against persons and property and the remedies available to victims of hate violence.
How does California law help victims of hate violence?
Individuals are protected in their person and property from acts of hate violence that violate civil and criminal laws and constitutionally protected rights. In particular, the Ralph Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics. These include:
- sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions)
- gender identity and gender expression
- race
- color
- religion
ancestry - national origin
- disability
- medical condition
- genetic information
- marital status
- sexual orientation
- citizenship
- primary language
- immigration status
- political affiliation
- position in a labor dispute
When a person experiences actual or threatened acts of violence based on these characteristics, law enforcement agencies have the authority to prosecute offenders and victims are entitled to pursue civil remedies against hate violence perpetrators.
What else does the Fact Sheet cover?
The Fact Sheet also covers:
- examples of civil hate violence, such as:
- interference with a person’s constitutionally protected rights;
- interference with worship;
- vandalism of private property;
- assault upon one’s person; or
- advocating imminent unlawful violence against a person on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived membership in a protected group;
- civil remedies, including retraining orders, actual damages, punitive damages, civil penalties, and legal fees;
- what to do if you believe you are a victim of hate violence to government authorities;
- DFEH investigational, educational, and enforcement activities;
- the time limit on DFEH complaints and complaint procedures; and
- DFEH contact information.