What You Can Do

Many people can solve their own human rights disputes.  Often all it takes to solve a problem is the right information, support and the courage to speak out. 

Some steps you can take to resolve your dispute:

• Become informed!  Learn what your human rights are, as well as your responsibilities.
• Talk to people you trust about your experience.  They may help you see things differently, or they may agree you have a problem.
• Decide whether you feel safe to raise the issue with the person you believe is discriminating against you.  If you feel safe, talk calmly to the person involved about the problem.
• If you don’t feel safe talking to that person, perhaps you can talk to someone higher up in the organization. You may want someone with you when you do this.  Here’s what you should do:
  • Describe the problem
  • Talk about your rights and how they are being affected
  • Describe the effect the problem is having on you
  • Listen to what they have to say
  • Take time to think about what they say
  • Tell them how you want to resolve the problem, and ask them how they might resolve the problem
  • Talk to the person you trust again
• Write the solution down and have everyone sign it.
• Stick to your end of the agreement, and ask the others to stick to their end of the agreement, too.
• Think about how to prevent problems in the future

If you are concerned that someone might try to “get back at you” for calling us, it is important to know it is illegal to retaliate against someone just because they ask for protection under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.