Civil Rights
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas has established a Civil Rights Unit to enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, disability, and other protected characteristics. The Civil Rights Unit has successfully litigated and resolved cases in a variety of contexts including fair housing, access to public accommodations, and law enforcement misconduct.
STATUTES ENFORCED
The Civil Rights Unit, along with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, has jurisdiction to bring cases under a number of federal statutes, including the:
• Fair Housing Act
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• American's with Disabilities Act
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Service Members Civil Relief Act
• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
• Shepard/Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• Voting Rights Act
Fair Housing
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discriminatory housing practices based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and familial status. The Department of Justice is authorized to bring a lawsuit if it finds a pattern or practice of unlawful conduct, or if the matter raises an issue of public importance. The Department may also litigate cases on behalf of private citizens who elect such action upon a finding of reasonable cause by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD complaints may be filed by going to www.hud.gov.
Disability Rights
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in many contexts, including employment, state and local government activities, places of public accommodation, transportation, and telecommunications. The Department of Justice is authorized to investigate complaints, conduct compliance reviews to ensure accessibility, initiate and intervene in litigation, and provide technical assistance to businesses, governments, and the general public to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA.
Police Misconduct
The Department of Justice is authorized to institute litigation to respond to police departments engaging in a pattern or practice of violating citizens’ federal and constitutional rights. It also investigates complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin by police departments receiving federal funds. The Criminal Division also prosecutes criminal conduct by law enforcement officers that intentionally violates individuals’ constitutional rights.
Hate Crimes
The U.S. Attorney’s Office vigorously prosecutes cases involving violence and intimidating acts based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Even in cases where there has been a local prosecution, a subsequent federal prosecution may be brought to remedy the criminal wrongdoing and vindicate federal interests.
Human Trafficking
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes the use of force, threats, or coercion to compel labor or services, including commercial sex acts, from adults and children. Modern day slavery can involve migrant farm laborers, sweat shop workers, domestic servants, and brothel workers.
Filing A Complaint
If you believe that you have been discriminated against, or that your civil rights have been violated, you may:
File a written complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Please follow the link online for the Civil Rights Complaint Form (PDF).
Please mail this form to the following address:
United States Attorney’s Office
District of Kansas - Civil Rights Division
500 State Avenue, Suite 360
Kansas City, KS 66101
Call the Civil Rights Unit Hotline:
1 (855) 321-5549
Send an email to:
usaks.civilrights@usdoj.gov
Visit the following websites for further information:
http://www.justice.gov/crt/
http://www.ada.gov/
http://www.fbi.gov
