Acoso malicioso: protección contra crímenes motivados por odio

Explicación Simple

Esta ley dice que hacer daño o amenazar a alguien por su raza, religión o a quién ama es muy serio. Quiere proteger a las personas de esos actos de odio y miedo. Es como si dijeran que todos merecen estar a salvo, sin importar quiénes son.

Es como cuando en un juego de fútbol, el árbitro se asegura de que nadie haga trampa o le haga daño a otro jugador solo porque es diferente. Todos deben jugar de manera justa y respetarse.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan y María, que son una pareja interracial, reciben amenazas por su relación. Un grupo de personas les deja mensajes hirientes en sus redes sociales y les dicen que no deberían estar juntos. Gracias a esta ley, pueden denunciar esos actos y recibir protección de la policía.

Penalidades

Las penalidades pueden incluir cargos criminales, multas y penas de cárcel, dependiendo de la gravedad del acoso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 9A.36.078 - Malicious harassment -- Finding The legislature finds that crimes and threats against persons because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicaps are serious and increasing. The legislature also finds that crimes and threats are often directed against interracial couples and their children or couples of mixed religions, colors, ancestries, or national origins because of bias and bigotry against the race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin of one person in the couple or family. The legislature finds that the state interest in preventing crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias goes beyond the state interest in preventing other felonies or misdemeanors such as criminal trespass, malicious mischief, assault, or other crimes that are not motivated by hatred, bigotry, and bias, and that prosecution of those other crimes inadequately protects citizens from crimes and threats motivated by bigotry and bias. Therefore, the legislature finds that protection of those citizens from threats of harm due to bias and bigotry is a compelling state interest.The legislature also finds that in many cases, certain discrete words or symbols are used to threaten the victims. Those discrete words or symbols have historically or traditionally been used to connote hatred or threats towards members of the class of which the victim or a member of the victim's family or household is a member. In particular, the legislature finds that cross burnings historically and traditionally have been used to threaten, terrorize, intimidate, and harass African Americans and their families. Cross burnings often preceded lynchings, murders, burning of homes, and other acts of terror. Further, N