Following recent reports of harassment and intimidation towards minorities, women, immigrants and LGBTQ individuals since Election Day, Attorney General Maura Healey announced that a hotline has been launched for MA residents to report such incidents.
“In Massachusetts, we will protect people’s rights, fight discrimination and keep people safe. There are reports from around the country following the election that people have been targeted and subjected to conduct that imperils safety and civil rights. Today, I am establishing a hotline for residents to report bias-motivated threats, harassment, and violence. Such conduct has no place in Massachusetts.”
—Attorney General Maura Healey.
Any Massachusetts resident who has witnessed or experienced bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence may call the Attorney General’s Hotline at 1-800-994-3228 or fill out a civil rights complaint form at this link. Residents may also contact the Attorney General’s Office through its social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Potential hate crimes —including bias-motivated assault, battery, and property damage— should also be reported to the local police in the first instance. Residents who fear for their immediate safety should call 911.
In this page, a list of civil rights under the Massachusetts law are outlined, which protect the residents and visitors of the State from any incidents that might threaten their safety. Hate Crime, Bias-Motivated Conducts and Discrimination are protected against under law, and should be reported through the above mentioned means. Hate crimes in particular should be reported to the police in the first instance and are considered criminal, their offenders are prosecuted ordinarily by the District Attorney’s Office. This doesn’t exclude them from being prosecuted civilly, either in addition or instead of the criminal charges under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act.
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