What can someone do if their rights are violated?

Asked by: Dr. Sophie Lockman  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (19 votes)

If you believe your rights or the rights of someone else have been violated by DHS, you can file a civil rights complaint with DHS's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL).

What to do when your rights are violated?

Report a violation

To file a civil rights complaint, contact your local FBI office or visit tips.fbi.gov. You should be prepared to provide as much information and detail as possible. FBI investigations vary in length.

What happens when a person's rights are violated?

The law allows individuals to seek damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees for violations of their rights. Note: Federal civil-rights litigation is a very complex area of law. It frequently involves sovereign immunity issues that arise under the Eleventh Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

What can a person do when they feel their rights have been violated?

Meet with an Attorney

Your lawyer is your advocate. He or she will speak up for you and ensure your rights are not violated. If they have already been violated, your lawyer can speak out against the wrongdoing, which can lessen your load and hopefully help you avoid serious consequences.

Who do you report human rights violations to?

There are several ways to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). The fastest and easiest way is online via the California Civil Rights System (CCRS) portal. Complaints can also be accepted through mail, email, and other methods.

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What qualifies as a human rights violation?

According to the United Nations, a human rights violation occurs when actions by state or non-state actors abuse, ignore, or deny basic human rights laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) This includes civil, political, cultural, social, and economic rights.

How can individuals defend their rights?

To exercise the right to defend rights, everyone should be able to, for example, freely express their opinions, share ideas, and access publicly relevant information held by the authorities.

How to deal with human rights violations?

A person who feels that his/her human rights have been violated can do the following: - Contact the South African Human Rights Commission (“SAHRC”) to lodge a complaint. The SAHRC will resolve the complaint through negotiation, mediation or arbitration.

What rights Cannot be taken away?

These include the freedom of speech, assembly and religion; the right to self government; the right to acquire, possess and protect property; the right to suffrage; right to bail, and right to a trial by jury, among others.

Is it a crime to violate someone's rights?

This statute makes it a crime for any person acting under color of law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom to willfully deprive or cause to be deprived from any person those rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution and laws of the U.S.

Who decides if your rights have been violated?

When parties can't resolve a complaint, CRD continues an investigation to determine if there is reasonable cause to believe that a civil rights law has been violated. If not, the case is closed. If CRD makes a reasonable cause determination, the parties are typically required to go to mediation.

What is the punishment for human rights violations?

Serious human rights offenses generally have a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, but if death resulted, a higher statutory maximum term of imprisonment of any term of years or life applies.

What is considered a violation of rights?

Understanding Civil Rights Violations

Common examples include: Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Denial of voting rights or freedom of speech. Police misconduct or abuse of authority.

How do I report to human rights?

Contact

  1. Address: No 19 Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama. PMB 444 Garki, Abuja.
  2. Mobile: 6472 (SHORT CODE), 092903746, 092908829, 09032192577.
  3. Webpage: https://www.nhrc.gov.ng.

How much is a civil rights lawsuit worth?

The compensation usually comprises economic damages (e.g., medical expenses and lost income), emotional distress damages, court fees, injunctive relief, attorney's legal fees, and equitable relief. Depending on your case, your financial settlement may range from thousands to millions of dollars.

What are the 17 protected grounds?

The grounds are: citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance (in housing) and record of offences (in employment).

What are the 5 R's of human rights?

It reminds personnel of “the five R's of human rights” (recognize, refrain, react, record, and report) and lists USSoUthCom's standing orders concerning respect for human rights.

Who helps with human rights violations?

The Civil Rights Department is the state agency charged with enforcing California's civil rights laws. The mission of the CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs, and from bias-motivated violence and human trafficking.

How much money is emotional distress worth?

Emotional distress damages are often subjective, and the amounts awarded vary widely depending on the circumstances, the available evidence, and the jurisdiction. Some claims may result in modest compensation, while others have led to verdicts worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars.

What makes a strong harassment case?

Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.

What is the 80% rule in discrimination?

In essence, it states that the hiring rate for any protected group – distinguished by race, gender, or age – should be at least 80% of the hiring rate of the most selected group.

What are the 10 civil rights?

Civil rights generally include ensuring peoples' physical and mental integrity, life, and safety, protection from discrimination, the right to privacy, the freedom of thought, speech, religion, press, assembly, and movement.

Does anyone have a duty to protect my rights?

Yes. A right is meaningless without a corresponding responsibility or duty on someone else's part. Every individual has a moral duty not to violate your personal dignity but your government, in signing up to international agreements, has not just a moral duty but also a legal duty.

Which act protects the rights of individuals?

The Human Rights Act. The Human Rights Act protects all of us – young and old, rich and poor. Hundreds of people use it to uphold their rights and achieve justice every year.