What is a Bias Incident?

A bias incident is any act which targets a person, groups of people, or property (public or private) because of a person’s actual or perceived:

• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Identity or Expression
• Disability
• Other Protected Characteristics

Bias incidents may include:

• • name calling
  • offensive language
  • inappropriate gestures/behavior or graffiti.

Not all bias incidents rise to the level of a bias or hate crime.

• • For example, certain forms of hateful and offensive speech may be protected under the First Amendment.  If you are the victim of a bias incident, Report it right away and let law enforcement determine if it’s a potential crime or possibly refer your complaint to another agency.
  • If you experienced discrimination or bias-based harassment in employment, housing, or in a place of public accommodation, and are a member of a protected class, under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD), you may be entitled to civil remedies as a victim.  Click here to learn more about the LAD.
  • To learn how New Jersey investigates bias incidents and bias crimes read the Bias Incident Investigation Standards, here.