Discrimination Resources
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) enforces Seattle’s civil rights laws which include protections against discrimination in employment, public places, housing, and contracting based on a protected class. SOCR also enforces the All-Gender Restroom, Ban on Conversion Therapy to Minors, and Closed Captioning laws. The resources below may be helpful if your issue happened outside the City of Seattle or is not included in the laws we enforce.
Civil Rights Agencies
- King County Civil Rights Program: File discrimination claims against King County government and employers, housing providers and businesses in unincorporated King County
- Washington State Human Rights Commission: File discrimination claims in Washington
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): File federal housing discrimination claims
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): File federal employment discrimination claims
Education
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: File discrimination claims against a school, school district, college, university, or library
- Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): File a discrimination complaint about a school or being employed at a school
- Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds: Find trained problem solvers who bring families and educators together to resolve conflict and disputes that affect students
- Safe Schools Coalition: Public-private partnership in Washington State in support of gay, lesbian and transgender, queer and questioning youth, working to help schools become safe where every child can learn
- Seattle Public Schools Student Civil Rights: File a discrimination complaint about a Seattle Public School or being employed at a Seattle public school
Employment
- Seattle Office of Labor Standards: File a labor standards complaint in Seattle
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: File a labor standards complaint in Washington
Hate and Bias Crimes
- Seattle Police Department: Report hate and bias crimes
Housing
- Renting in Seattle: File a complaint about rental regulations in Seattle
- Seattle Office of Housing: Find rental housing, rental assistance and low-income homeowner programs in Seattle
- Tenants Union of Washington State: Know your landlord-tenant rights
- Housing Justice Project: Free Legal Assistance to renters facing eviction in King County
- Tenant Law Center: Free legal assistance to low-income persons in King County who are facing eviction or subsidy termination.
Legal Referrals
- King County Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinics: Legal assistance in different areas of Seattle. Neighborhood Legal Clinics and partner clinics are listed
- Northwest Justice Project's CLEAR Hotline: Free legal education, advice and referral for people with low incomes
Police Complaints
- Office of Police Accountability: File a complaint against Seattle Police Department
- King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight: FIle a complaint or praise the King County Sherriff's Office