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Civil Rights (Oficina de Derechos Civiles)
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) ensures that recipients of financial assistance from OJP and its components comply with federal laws that prohibit discrimination in both employment and the delivery of services or benefits based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and disability. In addition, federal law prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of age in the delivery of services or benefits. See Civil Rights Requirements for further information on the obligations of OJP grant recipients.
OCR also ensures that recipients of financial assistance from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) comply with applicable federal civil rights laws. In addition to federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and disability in OVW-funded programs, recipients of financial assistance from OVW are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, either in employment or in the delivery of services of benefits. For additional information on discrimination prohibited in OVW-funded programs, see Nondiscrimination Grant Condition in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.
Employees and beneficiaries of programs funded by OJP, the COPS Office, or OVW, including applicants for employment or services, who believe that they have experienced unlawful discrimination may file a complaint with OCR. See Filing a Civil Rights Complaint for guidance and direction on how to file a complaint.
The Investigative Findings page captures Letters of Finding and Compliance Review Reports related to a selection of OCR investigations.
Contacts
Director: Michael Alston
OCR Main Line: 202-307-0690
Fax: 202-354-4380
TDD/TTY: 202-307-2027
OCR E-mail: askOCR@ojp.usdoj.gov
Resources
Other Federal Government Civil Rights Agencies: