Hate Crime Victims Share Their Stories In New Book

Victims of hate crimes sometimes describe feeling powerless, humiliated, afraid. They’re left with medical bills, mental health challenges and no safety net.

While the number of hate crimes in California and across the country have steadily increased, advocates it's often underreported because hate crime reporting is not mandatory.

Report: California Hate Crimes Jumped In 2017, Though Rare

For many victims that means the public never hears their stories.

In a new book, "American Hate: Survivors Speak Out," written by civil rights attorney Arjun Sethi stories from 14 survivors or hate crimes are told in first person accounts.

In the book, Sethi attributes the rise in hate crime across the country to the Trump Administration.

"There have been incidents of bullying, cyber trolling and violence where the suspects have specifically mentioned Donald Trump, his rhetoric or his policies," said Sethi.

Sethi spoke with Midday Edition about how survivors of hate crime are using their resilience to advocate for change.

Sethi will be discussing his book Wednesday at 7:30 at Warwicks in La Jolla.

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