Equity & Accessibility
The City of Salem has adopted a Title VI Plan to ensure that the City is in compliance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
The Human Rights and Relations Advisory Commission advises the City Council on human rights and relations issues. This board assists residents by hearing and resolving discrimination complaints and promoting harmony.
File a Discrimination Complaint
Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income is a civil rights violation.
If you have experienced discrimination, you have several options for getting help:
Contact the Title VI/Section 504 Coordinator to discuss your concern.
File a Title VI complaint (English form/Spanish form) if the discrimination was on the basis of race, color, or national origin and involved a City employee.
Use the form below if you experienced discrimination anywhere within the City of Salem on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income.
Help for Victims of Hate Crimes
The Core Response Team operates as a subcommittee of the Human Rights and Relations Advisory Commission (HRRAC) to assist with concerns of hate or bias activity. Specially trained staff can help you in the following ways:
Identification: Help you determine if what has happened to you is a hate crime and advise you on your next steps.
Follow-through:
Contact you within three business days after the initial report
Stay in touch from the start to the finish of the investigation
Provide a direct phone number to call with questions
Find help: At your request, connect you with other support organizations who can meet your specific needs.
Download a brochure for quick reference.
Report your experience
No activity is too minor to report. Hate activity in all its forms can affect the whole community. Even if you don't need help, reporting hate or bias activity helps others facing similar situations. You can call or email the Core Response Team.
If you believe a crime occurred, call the non-emergency police line at 503–588–6123.
If the crime is in progress and there is a direct threat to life or property, immediately call 911.
Hate crime definition
A hate crime occurs when one person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly subjects another person to offensive physical contact, physical injury or threats of physical injury, or property damage or threats of property damage based on a the person's membership in one of the following groups:
Race
Color
National origin
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Religion
A hate crime may also target a person’s family. Hate crimes should be reported to the Salem Police Department. You can also notify the Core Response Team to get help as you walk through the process.
Hate or bias activity defintion
While a hate crime generally involves an act of intimidation, hate or bias activity includes:
Offensive language, actions or symbols
Written or verbal threats
Bullying
Abusive phone calls, emails, or messages
Hate or bias activity is based on a the person's membership in one of the following groups:
Race
Color
National origin
Sexual orientation
Gender identity
Religion
Sex
Marital or familial status
Age
Disability
Source of income
Report hate or bias activity to the Core Response Team.
Email: [email protected]
503-540-2371
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