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Barnstable County Human Rights Commission reports 45 discrimination intakes in 2024; race the largest reported concern
Summary
Human Rights Coordinator Leslie Dominguez Santos told county commissioners the commission recorded 45 intakes in 2024, with roughly two‑thirds related to race; commissioners pledged continued support and outreach to immigrant and vulnerable communities.
The Barnstable County Human Rights Commission presented its 2024 year‑in‑review to Barnstable County Commissioners on April 9, reporting 45 intakes and an increase in issues tied to race, national origin and religion.
“Fully two thirds of the phone calls that we got last year were related to race,” said Leslie Dominguez Santos, the county’s human rights coordinator, summarizing the commission’s data. She told the commissioners the intake figure amounts to roughly one call per week and noted that many contacts are requests for help or referrals rather than formal legal complaints.
Dominguez Santos described the commission’s regular activities — a spring Human Rights Academy, a fall academy and a Human Rights Day celebration — and said the academy’s 2024–25 theme focuses on student health and well‑being in schools. The 2024 review also identified rising reports tied to national origin and religion; Dominguez Santos said the trends reflect national patterns of increased anti‑Muslim and anti‑Semitic incidents.
The commission referred callers to state and local resources including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the state Attorney General’s office, local nonprofits, town management and schools. “More than anything, what I think is really important about what we do is that people feel heard and seen,” Dominguez Santos said, describing the commission’s “warm handoff” referrals and education work.
Commissioners praised the commission’s outreach and urged more public awareness of the service. Several commissioners said they were concerned about fear in immigrant communities and encouraged the commission to strengthen links to legal aid, clinics and sponsor organizations that assist seasonal and visa‑holder workers. Rick Draper, who chairs the intake committee, told commissioners the work is time‑intensive and asked for county support to spread staff workload. Daniel Beltran, another intake commissioner, cited rising anxiety among community members and thanked the board for backing the commission’s outreach.
Why it matters: County officials said the commission provides an accessible point of contact for residents reporting discrimination and that increased intakes may reflect heightened community need as well as greater awareness of the commission’s service.
What’s next: The Human Rights Academy is scheduled April 15 at the Sturgis community building. Commissioners said they will consider outreach and possible staffing support to handle rising intake volume.
