In 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered—targeted because he was gay. That same year, James Byrd Jr.— a 49-year-old African American man living in Jasper, Texas—was horrifically killed by three men who were well-known white supremacists. In 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law and named in their memory.
The Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act enables the U.S. Department of Justice (the Department) to prosecute crimes motivated by race, color, religion, and national origin without having to show that the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity. The law also empowers the Department to prosecute hate crimes committed because of a person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. In addition, the law authorized the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) grant program supporting state and local investigations and prosecutions of hate crimes.
Over two decades later, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program is as vital as ever. Hate crimes are on the rise, fueled by escalating discrimination and bias targeting people's race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability status.
BJA funding through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program supports law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in addressing and preventing hate crimes.
This comprehensive program provides resources for:
- Providing outreach and education to raise awareness of hate crimes among the public, potential victims, and partners.
- Enhancing tools and processes for victims to report hate incidents and crimes.
- Strengthening the investigation and prosecution of bias-motivated offenses.
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Establishing partnerships with community groups to prevent discrimination and harassment.
On the 5th anniversary of the legislation's signing, Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy, reflected that in addition to achieving justice, the act's purpose was "to educate the public about the sheer size of this problem."
By embracing a proactive, collaborative approach, this funding can help state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies prevent future hate crimes and help educate and heal communities.
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Category 1: City or County Demonstration Projects
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Category 2: State or Regional Initiatives
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Category 3: Strategic and Resiliency Planning
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State, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies
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Build strong collaboration between law enforcement, prosecution, and community-based organizations.
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Create comprehensive approaches that expand strategies to increase the reporting, identification, and charging of hate crimes.
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Implement an action plan resulting in the prosecution and resolution of cases.
 PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' BENEFITS (PSOB) PROGRAM
Enacted in 1976, the PSOB Program provides death, disability, and education benefits to those eligible for the program. For details regarding these federal benefits for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders who have died or become catastrophically injured in the line of duty, call the PSOB Office at 888-744-6513 or visit us online.
BJA offers many resources, training and technical assistance, and policy development services to support local, state, and tribal governments in achieving safer communities.
If you haven’t already, subscribe to the News From BJA subscription list to stay up to date on the latest information and news from BJA. If you are already a subscriber, update your subscription preferences to receive information that is most relevant to you.
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