In Pennsylvania, it is a separate and more serious offense to commit any one of several crimes against persons or property when motivated by hatred against the victim's race, color, religion, or national origin. The data show that reported hate crimes increased 60 percent from fiscal year 1990-91 to fiscal year 1991-92. African Americans and other minorities are more than 10 times more likely than whites to be victims of hate crimes. Although African Americans compose only 10 percent of the population of the Commonwealth, they constitute 45 percent of hate-crime victims. Women are increasingly likely to be the victims of hate crimes. In fiscal year 1991-92, 43 percent of all hate- crime victims were women, compared to 34 percent in fiscal year 1990-91. Seventy-two percent of hate-crime offenders are age 25 or younger. The number of anti-Semitic incidents of harassment, threats, and assault reported to the Anti- Defamation League increased by nearly 20 percent from calendar year 1990 to calendar year 1991. Hate crimes against Asian Americans increased by more than 100 percent from fiscal year 1990-91 to fiscal year 1991-92. The Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force reported survey results that show more than one-half of gay men and more than one-fourth of lesbian women in Pennsylvania have been victims of violence. Recommendations of the Office of Attorney General suggest ways to prevent and counter hate crimes. 6 tables and appended relevant statutes