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Retaliation: Race, Color, and National Origin Discrimination

Retaliation is prohibited under each of the civil rights laws that OCR enforces, including Title VI. Retaliatory acts against any individual who exercises his or her rights under Title VI are considered to be discrimination and are unlawful. Recipients of federal funds are prohibited from intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by the statutes that OCR enforces.  


Date Resource
December 10, 2024 

Civil Rights Protections Against Retaliation 

This resource reminds school communities that all of the federal civil rights laws enforced by OCR prohibit retaliation. The resource explains the key elements of retaliation, outlines how OCR assesses retaliation claims, and provides examples that, depending on the facts and circumstances, could raise concerns of unlawful retaliation.

 

  • Civil Rights Protections Against Retaliation PDF (406K)
November 14, 2024 

Frequently Asked Privacy-Related Questions About Filing a Complaint with OCR 

The FAQ details how information, including the identity of a complainant, will generally be used by OCR when OCR investigates a complaint. The FAQ also provides general information on civil rights protections for individuals who submit a complaint of discrimination or participate in an investigation.

 

  • Frequently Asked Privacy-Related Questions About Filing a Complaint with OCR PDF (207K)
April 24, 2013 

Guidance on the prohibition against retaliation under Federal civil rights laws

“"Dear Colleague" letter” from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter clarifies the basic principles of retaliation law and describes OCR’s methods of enforcement.

 

 

Publications

  • Sexual Harassment: Sexual Violence PDF (4MB)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Page Last Reviewed:
January 14, 2025