A violation of a civil rights injunction is a

criminal offense and should be reported to the

police immediately. Violations can subject

a perpetrator to fi nes of up to $10,000, and

up to two and one-half years in a house of

correction or, if bodily injury results, to up to

10 years in state prison.

Yes. Criminal prosecution of a hate crime is

a separate proceeding from a civil injunction

under the MCRA. Both cases can take place

simultaneously. When the Attorney General

obtains injunctions under the MCRA, she

collaborates with police departments and

district attorney’s offi ces.

No. Victims can fi le their own lawsuits if they

wish to obtain money damages. If you wish

to obtain individual legal representation you

may consider contacting a private attorney.

In addition, some victims of violent crime

may be eligible to apply for compensation

for out of pocket expenses related to the

crime. For more information, contact the

Attorney General’s Victim Compensation and

Assistance Division at (617) 727-2200.

The Attorney General’s Victim Services

Division will work directly with victims and

their families to support them during and after

any legal proceedings. The Victim Services

Division will explain legal proceedings, answer

questions, and direct victims to resources and

support services. The Attorney General’s

Victim Compensation Division provides

fi nancial assistance to eligible victims of

violent crime for certain expenses related to

the crime.

For more information about these or

any other program within the Attorney

General’s Offi ce, visit our website at

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division

can be reached at:

Civil Rights Division

Offi ce of Attorney General Martha Coakley

One Ashburton Place

Boston, MA 02108

617-727-2200 or

617-727-4765 (TTY)

Information about the Civil Rights Division,

including a complaint form, is also available

for download at our website:

Dear Friends,

As Attorney General,

protecting the civil rights

of residents and visitors

to Massachusetts is one

of my most important

responsibilities.

This publication outlines some of your

civil rights under Massachusetts law. The

Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA),

M.G.L. c. 12, s. 11H-11J, protects all

residents and visitors to Massachusetts against

threats and interference with their civil rights.

The MCRA protects, for example, the right

to use public parks, walk on public streets,

attend school, live peacefully in your home,

and enjoy other basic rights free from biasmotivated

threats, intimidation, coercion, and

violence. These rights are the heart of our

safety, well-being and freedom.

If you believe that your rights or the rights

of a family member have been violated, or if

you need further information, please contact

the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney

General’s Offi ce.

Cordially,

Martha Coakley

Massachusetts Attorney General

Certain criminal conduct is a hate crime

when the perpetrator is motivated by bias

(prejudice) against another person’s race, color,

religion, national origin, sexual orientation or

disability (M.G.L c. 265, s. 39).

Even if the perpetrator was mistaken in his or

her perception that the victim was a member

of a particular group, the conduct is still a hate

crime as long as the offender was motivated by

bias against that group.

Your rights may have been violated if:

• The perpetrator targeted you because of

your protected category (race, national

origin, religion, age, gender, sexual

orientation or disability) or activity (for

example, the right to vote or the right to

associate).

• The perpetrator interfered with your

civil rights, including your right to:

use public parks; walk on public streets;

attend school; or live peacefully in your

home.

• The perpetrator used verbal slurs while

threatening or intimidating you.

Along with the impact on individual victims,

hate crimes send a message to members of

groups that they do not belong, or will be

hurt because they are perceived as different.

Our response to hate crimes can send a

powerful message that these crimes will not be

tolerated.

Report incidents to the police. Many police

departments have a civil rights offi cer trained

specifi cally to respond to hate crimes. There

are translation services available for victims.

Get medical help if needed. Some victims

may need support and reassurance. Victims

may choose to speak with a victim advocate,

community leader or counselor.

Contact the Attorney General’s Civil Rights

Division for additional resources and to learn

about civil rights injunctions.

The Attorney General may go to court to seek

a civil rights injunction to protect a victim

of a hate crime. The MCRA authorizes the

Attorney General’s Offi ce to pursue legal

action against those who deprive others of

their civil rights through intimidation, threats,

coercion or violence. Under the MCRA, the

Attorney General may obtain an injunction

against a perpetrator who threatens,

intimidates or coerces another person on the

basis of that person’s protected category or

protected activity.

An injunction is a legally enforceable court

order issued by a judge that prohibits a

perpetrator from committing certain actions.

A civil rights injunction will:

• order protection for a victim, and

all others like him or her, in the

Commonwealth;

• order the perpetrator to stay away from

a victim, his or her family, home, and

place of work;

• prohibit a perpetrator from further acts

of intimidation or violence.