Attorney General Establishes Hotline to Report Bias-Motivated Threats, Harassment

MASSACHUSETTS—With reports of intimidation and harassment of racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, the LGBTQ community and immigrants following Election Day, Attorney General Maura Healey on Monday announced that her office has established a new hotline for Massachusetts residents to report such incidents.

“In Massachusetts, we will protect people’s rights, fight discrimination and keep people safe,” said AG Healey in a statement. “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.”

“The Police Departments across the Commonwealth are committed to ensuring that the constitutional rights of all individuals including racial, ethnic, religious, and LGBTQ groups are not violated by any form of harassment and/or intimidation contrary to the law and stand ready to investigate any allegations of wrongdoing and take the appropriate enforcement action,” said Chief Brian Kyes, president of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, in a press release.

The hotline is managed by attorneys and staff in the AG’s Office, and while not every incident will be appropriate for legal action, the AG’s Office plans to track reports, and "appropriate matters may be referred to local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Criminal Bureau."

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 AG’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, said the release. Residents who fear for their immediate safety should call 911.

While most hate crimes are prosecuted by the local District Attorney’s office, in some cases, the offender may also be prosecuted civilly, either in addition to criminal charges or instead of criminal charges, by the AG’s Office under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA), according to the district attorney.

For more information, visit the Attorney General’s Office website.

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