Crime Victims with Disabilities

AUCD advocates for legislation aimed at preventing crimes against people with disabilities including the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act and the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law on October 28, 2009.

Scroll down to see legislation, resources, letters and related links.

Legislation

10/28/2009

Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

from http://www.gpo.gov

Text of the Law: Title 46 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law on October 28, 2009 as a rider to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010 (H.R. 2647). It expands the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Resources

5/21/2007

Breaking the Silence on Crime Victims with Disabilities in the United States

Joint Statement by the National Council on Disability, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the National Center for Victims of Crime

Letters

4/6/2009

CCD Letter on Hate Crimes Act

A sign on letter developed by AUCD in partnership with the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities to support the passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. This legislation would grant agencies the authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes based on the victim's disability, whether actual or perceived, and would authorize funding to states to help with the prosecution of Hate Crimes.