Oregon Bias Reports Drop 7% Amid Rising Spam Calls, AG Urges Action

Oregon's Bias Response Hotline saw a 7% decrease in bias-related reports in 2024 compared to 2023, marking the first decline since its inception in 2020. While reports involving Black, Indigenous, and people of color (excluding Asian individuals) and gender non-conforming victims dropped significantly, reports involving white, Asian, and female victims increased, suggesting varied willingness to report across communities. Despite the drop in bias reports, there was a 165% surge in harassment and spam calls targeting hotline staff, complicating efforts to support victims. Law enforcement referrals to the hotline also fell sharply by 58%, despite stable bias crime victim numbers reported to police, indicating potential underreporting and gaps in communication between agencies. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the findings a "sobering gut check" and emphasized the need to ensure all Oregonians feel safe to report bias incidents and receive support. The report underscores ongoing racial and gender disparities in bias reporting and highlights the challenges faced by hotline advocates amid increasing hostility.