Iowa Civil Rights Commission Hate Crimes

> Hate Crimes

Hate Crimes
What You Can Do

If you are the victim of a Hate Crime, or helping a victim, you should follow ALL of the following steps:

(If one of these agencies is unable to help you, continue following the recommended procedures.)

1. Call local law enforcement immediately!
A quick response is necessary. The first officer to arrive should look for motives to determine whether a hate crime occurred.

2. Preserve all physical evidence.
Save items involved and any damaged property; take photographs; be able to describe perpetrators and witnesses; write accurate account of incident; and keep a log of continuing events.

3. Call Federal Bureau of Investigation, nearest local office, or 402-493-8688 Omaha Field Office. The FBI should be notified if there is use of force or threatened use of force related to Fair Housing rights.

4. Call local Human Rights Agency if available. Check City Hall or local telephone directory.

5. Call Iowa Civil Rights Commission, toll free in Iowa 1-800-457-4416 or 515-281-4121. If Hate Crimes occur in areas of housing, employment, credit, public accommodations or education they may also be discriminatory acts under Iowa Code §216. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of incident.

6. Call US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Discrimination Hotline, 1-800-669-9777, TDD 1-800-927-9275. If Hate Crimes occur in area of housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or handicap victims may be able to file appropriate complaint under Federal law Title VIII. Ask about prompt judicial action for injunction.

7. Call US Department of Justice, Washington DC, Criminal Section 202-514-3204, or Housing and Civil Enforcement Section 202-514-4713.

8. Call Iowa Department of Public Safety, 515-281-5138 to report Hate Crime violations.

9. Call Iowa Attorney General's Office,515-281-5044. Ask about Iowa programs for victim's assistance.