Online form available to report civil rights violations

Computer keyboard. (Photo: https://flic.kr/p/51ehLt

INDIANAPOLIS (Network Indiana) — It is now easier for you to report a civil rights violation, says U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. Minkler represents the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

The Department of Justice says there is now a Civil Rights Reporting Portal.

“Our office recently asked anyone who has witnessed or experienced harassment or discrimination as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to report such allegations to the Civil Rights Coordinator in my office, or to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division,” said Minkler. “Even though reports can still be received in this manner, I encourage the public to utilize the user-friendly Civil Rights Portal to report any civil rights violations.”

You can find the portal at civilrights.justice.gov.

The new website allows users to submit an online form with details of a civil rights violation. Specialized teams will then review the report and forward it to the correct group or agency, which will determine the best course of action.

The portal is “fully accessible” to people with disabilities. It is available in English and Spanish, but more languages will be added over the next year.

If you would like to report a civil rights violation over the phone, you can call the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Coordinator Jeffrey Preston at 317-226-6333. You can also call the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at 855-856-1247 or 202-514-3827.