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Publications

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights supports community-driven solutions to advance race and social justice. Part of that charge includes research and production of reports on policies, practices, and incidents that spotlight inequities and systemic biases, so they can be addressed by city and regional leaders.

Below are links to research produced by our staff or by associated work groups.

Reports

  • Community Task Force Report on the Criminal Legal System: The Community Task Force on Criminal Legal System Realignment (Task Force) was convened by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) and Seattle City Council Central Staff from September 2020 through May 2021 to provide recommendations for reform efforts targeted at institutions within the municipal criminal legal system in the City of Seattle.

  • Seattle Reentry Workgroup final report: This report fulfills the requirements under Resolution 31637 requesting the Mayor to convene a workgroup to develop policies and strategies that would strengthen the City of Seattle's effort to assist with reentry after incarceration. The Reentry Workgroup's Final Report includes: (1) inventories of the City's current investments for those returning from incarceration; (2) an assessment of City levied criminal and infraction fines and fees and their impact on reentry; and (3) seven strategies to strengthen the City's support and reduce barriers for those living with criminal history.

  • 2017 Seattle Office for Civil Rights Testing Program report: The Seattle Office for Civil Rights' (SOCR) testing program utilizes testers to identify discriminatory practices and bias in access to Seattle's rental housing market using single testers and matched pair design (also known as an audit design). In 2017, the program conducted 192 matched pair tests with conclusive results. In 110 of those (57%), the testers received different treatment because of their perceived race, disability, or other protected class status.

  • Homeless Encampment Monitoring report: This report is based on observations made during 24 visits to unauthorized encampment sites, including 20 encampment removals that occurred from May through December of 2017. Monitors visited sites that represented a breadth of types, including encampments with large numbers of people residing in them as well as smaller encampments, diversity in location throughout the city, and sites designated as emphasis areas by the City.

Annual Report

Cover image for the SOCR 2021 Annual Report featuring a colorful mural of a woman by Perri Rhoden. Mural is in Midtown Square in the Central District.

Press Releases

2022 Press Releases

2021 Press Releases



Civil Rights

Derrick Wheeler-Smith, Interim Director
Address: 810 3rd Avenue , Suite 750, Seattle, WA, 98104-1627
Phone: (206) 684-4500
civilrights@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) works to advance civil rights and end barriers to equity. We enforce laws against illegal discrimination in employment, housing, public places, and contracting within Seattle.