8.01-42.1 - Civil action for racial, religious, or ethnic harassment, violence or vandalism. - Virginia Statutes

§ 8.01-42.1. Civil action for racial, religious, or ethnic harassment,violence or vandalism.

A. An action for injunctive relief or civil damages, or both, shall lie forany person who is subjected to acts of (i) intimidation or harassment or (ii)violence directed against his person; or (iii) vandalism directed against hisreal or personal property, where such acts are motivated by racial,religious, or ethnic animosity.

B. Any aggrieved party who initiates and prevails in an action authorized bythis section shall be entitled to damages, including punitive damages, and inthe discretion of the court to an award of the cost of the litigation andreasonable attorneys' fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any actions between anemployee and his employer, or between or among employees of the sameemployer, for damages arising out of incidents occurring in the workplace orarising out of the employee-employer relationship.

(1988, c. 492.)