Sometimes victims and survivors who need help are discriminated against – of course, that’s against the law!
If you believe a domestic violence service provider discriminated against you, you need to document what happened, including:
- What was the nature of your request (for example, being admitted to an abuse shelter)?
- What was the name of the person who denied your request?
- What was the reason given for denying your request?
- Why do you believe you were discriminated against?
These are some of your options:
1. Complain to the Human Rights Commission in your area.
2. Contact an attorney about filing a discrimination lawsuit.
3. File a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services:
The Honorable Daniel Levinson, Inspector General
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Internet: http://oig.hhs.gov/report_fraud/OIGFraudForm.asp
Telephone: 800-HHS-TIPS
Email: HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov
4. File a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice:
The Honorable Glenn Fine, Inspector General
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Suite 4322, Washington, DC 20530
Internet: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/about/offices/ocr.htm
Email: askOCR@ojp.usdoj.gov
Telephone: 202-307-0690