An action may be a Civil Rights violation when bias or discrimination appears to be a motive in what happened to you. A bias motive is hostility, or negative attitude toward, or prejudice against, any group or individual due to race, color, sex, national origin/ethnicity, religion, familial status, sexual orientation, or disability.
The first step to consider is whether any bias indicators were present during the incident. Bias indictors are certain facts and circumstances which when combined with particular language or behavior suggest that a potential civil rights violation has occurred. Examples of bias indicators include: Racial, ethnic, gender, and cultural differences between the offender and victim Bias-related comments, written statements or gestures were made by the offender Bias-related drawings, markings, symbols and graffiti Objects or items that represent the work of organized hate groups were left at the scene of the incident Victim or witnesses perceive that the incident was motivated by bias
The presence of bias indicators means that the incident should be reported to the Police and the BHA, and that an investigation should be initiated. Bias indictors are not confirmation of a civil rights violation, but rather indicate that an investigation is required to make a determination. The BHA Office of Civil Rights and the Boston Police Department make this determination.
Reporting a Civil Rights Violation If you think something has happened to you on BHA property, which violated your civil rights, you should take the following steps:
- If you are in immediate physical danger, there is property damage or personal injury, call 9-1-1, the Boston Police Department. Then notify your management office.
- If there is no immediate threat, you should promptly notify your management office or the BHA Office of Civil Rights at 988-4383.
- You can, at anytime, call the BHA 24-Hour Civil Rights Hotline at 695-3531 or the BHA Police at 423-1212.
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