Human rights complaints can now be filed online in Prince William County

Until recently, those who had a human or civil rights complaint had to go to the Ferlazzo Building just off US 1 in southern Woodbridge to fill out a form. Now, there’s an online form that goes directly to the Prince William County Human Rights Commission, an agency that investigates human and civil rights complaints.

The commission deals with complaints in the areas of employment, fair housing, public accommodation, credit and education that are based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion and disability.

The new intake assessment form, available on the county’s Human Rights Office website, will move things along, said Human Rights Commission Division Chief Shelia Venning. “We’ll be able to process the intake much faster and get back to the charging party much faster.”

The new online form will allow people to complete the information by answering questions online and submitting the complaint directly to the commission. An acknowledgement will be sent confirming that the complaint was received and logged into the system.

Before the online option became available, people had to go to the Human Rights Office in the Ferlazzo Building to fill out the form there, or take it home and then return it in person or by mail. People could also call the office and file the form by phone. The online form will eliminate the need to make that extended phone call or to visit the Ferlazzo Building, Venning said. “Now you can complete the form and submit the form, both electronically.”

People who do not have access to a computer can still call or drop by the Human Rights Office where they can fill out the paperwork.

Contact the Human Rights office at 703-792-4680 with any questions or visit http://www.pwcgov.org/humanrights and click on “How to File a Complaint” to find out more information.