BOSTON—Massachusetts' annual report on hate crimes is turning heads, revealing shocking statistics about the demographics of both victims and perpetrators. Released recently by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the findings spotlight young white men as the primary victims of hate crimes, while also indicating that white men constitute the majority of offenders.

In 2024, a staggering 467 hate crime incidents were reported across the state, with white individuals victimized in 60.4% of cases where the race was identified. This marks a rise from 58.3% in the previous year. Meanwhile, African Americans fell into second place, suffering in 33.3% of reported incidents. The report highlighted that men were targeted in 63.9% of cases, amounting to 267 incidents.

The perpetrator profile is equally revealing. White individuals accounted for 70.9% of hate crime offenders, albeit a slight decrease from 73% in 2023. The report found a disturbing trend where male offenders represented 77.4% of the hate crimes, up from 75.2% the year prior.

Motivations behind these crimes were largely rooted in race, ethnicity, and national origin, accounting for 42.7% of incidents. Bias against religious groups surged significantly, making up 34.3% of reported cases, with anti-Jewish incidents skyrocketing by 23.5% compared to the previous year.

Incidents took place in various locations, with homes being the most common setting for hate crimes, representing 26.8% of reports. Boston led the state with 149 reported hate crimes, more than three times the total from Newton and well ahead of Cambridge's 34 cases.

The EOPSS clarified that hate crimes are not standalone offenses but often tied to other criminal violations, from vandalism to serious assaults. Vandalism topped the hate crime offenses at 38%, followed by intimidation at 21%.

As the state grapples with these troubling trends, it’s clear that the landscape of hate crimes in Massachusetts is complex and demands urgent attention. The rising numbers and shifting demographics reveal a need for deeper community engagement and awareness to combat hate in all its forms.