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With the probable exception of homicide and fire-setting figures, the figures for other victimizations likely do not represent the full extent of the problem. Many attacks against homeless persons go unreported so most likely the numbers are higher than what’s represented here.
Nonetheless, hundreds of homeless persons have been attacked and some killed over the past nine years.
Since 1999:
774 violent acts have been perpetrated against homeless individuals across the country in a variety of communities.
These attacks occurred in 235 cities throughout our country, in 45 states and Puerto Rico.
217 homeless people have been killed, as a result of attacks ranging from being beaten to being set on fire and other atrocious acts.
The victims have endured humiliations both great and small and the injuries they sustained created not only physical pain and scars, but also the crippling effects of wounded self-esteem and dignity of the human spirit.
Attacks against homeless persons have increased in 2007. Throughout 2007:
160 homeless persons were violently attacked.
28 of those 160 persons were killed as a result of those attacks.
The number of attacks in 2007 rose from the number of attacks in 2006:
The total number of attacks rose by 13% from 2006 to 2007 – from 142 attacks to 160 attacks.
The number of attacks resulting in death rose by 40% from 2006 to 2007 – from 20 deaths to 28 deaths.
The number of non-lethal attacks rose by 8% from 2006 to 2007 – from 122 non-lethal attacks to 132 non-lethal attacks.
The perpetrators of these violent attacks against homeless people tend to be younger men or boys. The majority of crimes were committed by teens and youths as young as ten-years-old.
Of the known attackers in 2007:
64% were youths between age 13 and 19;
An overwhelming 86% of the accused and convicted were 25 and under;
Some of the attackers repeatedly cited their motive of attack as boredom, committing the crimes for the “thrill” or “fun,” because the victim is homeless, or perhaps even more harrowing, because they simply “can.”
While we may not know or understand the motive for all of the attacks documented in the report, some of these attacks seem to be perpetrated due to bias against the victims because they were homeless. In addition, the perpetrators’ characteristics, motive, and weaponry are very similar to perpetrators who commit hate crime against all other hate crime victim groups. Regardless of whether the motive of the perpetrators was that of opportunity or of bias against homeless persons, homeless persons continue to remain particularly vulnerable victims due to the nature of homelessness.
-NCH
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