A hate crime is a criminal act motivated by bias against a person's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics. These crimes can take many forms, including physical violence, vandalism, or threats, and they often aim to intimidate or harm individuals or communities based on their identity. Hate crimes are taken seriously by law enforcement and can lead to enhanced penalties compared to similar crimes without a bias motive. Many countries have specific laws to address and prosecute hate crimes, recognizing their impact on victims and society as a whole.