These harsher punishments are in place because, although all crimes hurt the victim, hate crimes have a more profound and emotional one that affects the victim more broadly, instilling dread and causing discord among people who share the victim's traits. When coupled with discriminatory purposes, a variety of underlying offenses, such as physical assault, verbal threats, robberies and burglaries, and property damage like graffiti, can be classified as hate crimes (What are hate crimes? - LAPD Online, 2021).
Hate crimes not only inflict physical and emotional harm on the targeted individual, but they also intimidate and terrorize entire communities. These offences often aim to send a message to the victim's community, causing a chilling effect and discouraging them from exercising their rights or fully participating in society. By imposing harsher punishments for hate crimes, society sends a clear message that these acts of prejudice and bigotry will not be tolerated, and that there will be severe consequences for those who perpetrate them. This serves to protect and empower marginalized communities, while promoting a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.
