Barnstable County human-rights office reports increase in race- and immigration-related contacts

The Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission presented its 2025 intake data during the April 8 meeting, reporting 48 ‘‘touchpoints’’ that include in-depth intakes, reports and inquiries. Lesie Dominguez Santos, the commission’s human rights coordinator, told commissioners race continued to be the largest reason residents contacted the office.

"Race continues to be the largest reason why people call. It's about race. It's about race," Dominguez Santos said, summarizing the commission's pullout data. She noted an increase in phone calls related to national origin and immigration status, and said schools and public spaces were the two areas the commission most wants the board to note.

Dominguez Santos said the commission uses the modest dataset to guide education and outreach rather than to make definitive statistical claims. She said referrals and warm handoffs to local nonprofits, state and federal agencies remain the commission’s primary response, and that the commission has had some successful outcomes — including school policy changes and landlord responses — from its intervention.

Commissioners praised the commission’s outreach and the recent human-rights academy and oral-history project. Several commissioners urged continued attention to racism in schools and to building relationships with service providers to ensure timely referrals and supports for victims.

Dominguez Santos also highlighted practical work to expand town liaisons — two towns remain without a liaison — and previewed a strategic-planning process to begin later in the year.