Religious and Ethnic Discrimination Survey | NYC Human Rights

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Fair Chance Housing Act

Together NYC

Height and Weight Protections

Source of Income Discrimination

Disability Protections

Pay Transparency

Being Seen in NYC

Black Business Solidarity Initiative

Condemning Immigration Detention Conditions

COVID-19

Credit History Discrimination

Discriminatory Harassment

Discrimination Survey Report

Fair Chance Employment Act

Fair Housing NYC

Gender Identity and Expression

I Still Believe in Our City

I Am Muslim NYC

Jewish New Yorkers

LGBTQI Protections

May We Know Our Own Strength

Meals as Collective Memory

Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

Salary History Discrimination

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Testimonial Video Series

While Black in NYC

Women's Rights

You Have Rights NYC


Don't Be Afraid to Report Discrimination: Survey Findings

Commission Releases Report Showing Discrimination, Bias Incidents and Harassment Prevalent in Religious Communities, Incident Reporting Rate Low

In June 2018, the Commission released a report summarizing the findings of a survey in which the agency surveyed 3,105 Muslim, Arab, South Asian, Jewish, and Sikh New Yorkers about their experiences of bias harassment, discrimination, and acts of hate between July 2016 and late 2017, a timeframe that encapsulates the aftermath of the Republican National Convention and Federal announcements threatening these and other communities, including a travel ban affecting Muslim majority countries and the ending of both the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for millions of immigrants living in the United States. It is difficult to overstate the challenges facing so many New Yorkers in this current climate. That’s why, the Commission wants to reaffirm our commitment to supporting these vulnerable communities and ensuring they know how to get help if they are being harassed or discriminated against.

These findings are intended to be used by the Commission and other City agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, policy makers, elected officials, and city residents to highlight ways for community members to seek and get help and to ensure that their rights are protected.

Key Findings from the Report:

71% of Muslim, Arab, South Asian, Jewish, and Sikh New Yorkers don't report discrimination when it happens

19% of those who wear religious clothing are shoved on a subway platform

1 in 6 experience racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination in employment

A Sikh person under 35 has nearly twice the chance of experiencing verbal harassment as non-Sikhs over the age of 35

10% of Muslim New Yorkers are prevented from observing their religion at work

19% of South Asian New Yorkers experience employment discrimination

80% of Jewish New Yorkers are affected by vandalism

Download the full report here or view a fact sheet for some key facts from the report. Read the press release for quotes and further information on the report launch.

Additional Languages:

Download the fact sheet in English

Download the fact sheet in French

Download the fact sheet in Haitian Creole

Download the fact sheet in Korean

Download the fact sheet in Polish

Download the fact sheet in Russian

Download the fact sheet in Chinese

Download the fact sheet in Arabic

Download the fact sheet in Yiddish

Download the fact sheet in Urdu

About the NYC Commission on Human Rights

The New York City Commission on Human Rights is the City agency responsible for enforcing the New York City Human Rights Law, one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country. The City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion/creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender (including sexual harassment), gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military service, marital status, and partnership status. In addition, the City Human Rights Law affords protection against discrimination in employment based on unemployment status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, caregiver status, and status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses. In housing, there are additional protections based on lawful occupation, family status, any lawful source of income, and status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses. The City Human Rights Law also prohibits retaliation, discriminatory harassment, and bias-based profiling by law enforcement.

The NYC Human Rights Law is one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the nation and protects against discrimination based on religion, national origin, immigration status, among other categories. Through the enforcement of the City Human Rights Law, the NYC Commission on Human Rights is getting justice for victims and holding violators accountable. If you face discrimination in NYC, you can report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights at (212) 416-0197 or by using this online form.

What to do if you're discriminated against

If you have been the victim of, or have experienced discrimination, we can help. Contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights at (212) 416-0197 or use this online form to report your case. Whether in employment, housing, or places of public accommodation, if you have faced discrimination because of who you are, let us know about it. You can even do it anonymously!

Still have questions?

Watch this helpful video for an overview of the reporting process so you can have a thorough understanding of the Commission's work in investigating acts of discrimination in New York City.

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