[CIVIL.REG.,121597,0800]

Discrimination Complaints

(Iowa Civil Rights Commission; 12/15/97; 0800)


2,171 DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS FILED LAST YEAR


In Fiscal Year 1997 (from July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997), the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) received 2,171 new complaints alleging
discrimination.

New Complaints



FY 90 991
FY 91 1282
FY 92 1562
FY 93 1826
FY 94 2038
FY 95 2274
FY 96 2172
FY 97 2171



The great majority of complaints filed in FY 97 alleged discrimination in the area of employment (86.3%), followed by public accommodations or services (7%), housing (5.2%), education (1.2%), and credit (.3%).

 

Areas FY 95   FY 96   FY 97  
  # % # % # %
employment 1908 83.9 1859 85.6 1874 86.3
accommodations 180 7.9 161 7.4 152 7
housing 136 6 126 5.8 113 5.2
education 34 1.5 22 1 26 1.2
credit 16 .7 4 .2 6 .3




Disability was the protected personal characteristic most often alleged as the basis of discrimination or the reason for discrimination.


Bases FY 95   FY 96   FY 97  
  # % # % # %
disability 807 35.5 712 32.8 839 38.6
sex 830 36.5 745 34.3 796 36.7
race 673 29.6 554 25.5 522 24
age 357 15.7 365 16.8 404 18.6
national origin 109 4.8 93 4.3 96 4.4
religion 23 1 33 .5 66 3



Termination was the incident or decision most often alleged as discriminatory.

Incidents FY 97 # %
termination 854 39.3
terms & conditions 610 28.1
harassment 356 16.4
failure to accommodate 333 16.4
sex harassment 262 12.1
failure to hire 211 9.8
forced to quit 192 8.8
failure to promote 122 5.6
demotion 99 4.6
layoff 83 3.8
unequal pay 79 3.6



The Mission of the ICRC is to eliminate discrimination in Iowa. Currently, the Commission fights discrimination five ways: (1) investigating and resolving discrimination complaints, (2) educating the public regarding anti-discrimination law and the value of diversity, (3) testing persons and organizations covered by the law to determine the nature and extent of discrimination in Iowa, (4) helping communities build diversity appreciation teams to fight discrimination locally, and (5) promoting the use of study circles on racism and race relations.

For a copy of ICRC's Fiscal Year 1997 Annual Report, call Don Grove at 515-281-8084 or E-Mail <don.grove@icrc.state.ia.us>. The Report can also be accessed at ICRC's Website <www.state.ia.us/government/crc>.

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(Contact: Don Grove 515-281-8084)

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