Harassment & Bullying

1. Harassment & Bullying What all students need to know

2. Harassment looks a lot like bullying. However harassment is always linked to Anti-discrimination Laws designed to protect specific populations identified by: gender, race, ethnic background, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or disability. Harassment may be a single incident or a series of incidents. Bullyingis repeated inappropriate behavior, direct or indirect, and by one or more persons, that: harms, intimidates, threatens, victimizes, undermines, offends, or humiliates someone. The difference between Harassment & Bullying

3. physical intimidation = Pushing, shoving, hitting, spitting, poking, tripping etc… Touching someone in an unwanted way Trashing someone’s personal property, such as their locker or notebook. verbal intimidation = Name calling Threatening someone to their face Writing to or about someone - IM’s, text messages, and emails count! Prank phone calls, or leaving nasty voicemails Direct Behaviors Include:

4. Indirect Behaviors Include: • Exclusion, which can include getting other people to ignore or leave out a certain person or certain people. • Starting rumors about a person or certain people. • Whispering and pointing at person or certain people. • Writing graffiti in stalls, on walls, or on lockers about a person or certain people.

5. Common Mistakes • Calling someone “gay,” or calling them a “fag” is harassment, regardless of their actual sexual orientation! • Making sexually suggestive comments about, or to another student, regardless of whether they are male or female, is sexual harassment! • Making negative statements about a person’s race or religion is harassment, even if that person is not actually of that race or religion!

6. More Examples of Common Mistakes • Telling dirty jokes • Snapping or pulling at someone’s underwear/bra-strap • Staring at parts of a person’s body normally covered by underwear • Calling objects (not people), like a movie or class assignment, “gay,” or “retarded”

7. If you feel you are being harassed or bullied, this is what you need to DO. • DO NOT IGNORE IT! Everyone has a right to feel safe, respected, and accepted at school. • TELL THE PERSON TO STOP. Be polite and clear about how you feel.

8. If the person does not stop, or you are afraid to say something to this person: TELL A TRUSTED ADULT or a PEP MEMBER • A friend can go with you for support. • This is what the Adult or PEP member can do for you: Listen to you. Help you decide what to do next. Back you up in your decision. Help you file a formal complaint.

9. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED INFORMALLY, OR IF IT CONTINUES, THEN YOU SHOULD FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT. • Fill out Incident Report Form available in the Middle School Main Office or High School Guidance Office. • A complete investigation of the situation will be made by an Administrator. • Parents will be notified. • The Principal will determine any disciplinary action.

10. Important Considerations • Harassment is not only a violation of school policy is also a CRIMINAL OFFENCE. • If you are under investigation for Harassment, LEGAL COUNSEL will be involved. • If you are found guilty of Harassment, CRIMINAL CHARGES may be brought against you!

11. If you are a perpetrator, the victim and their family has the right to call the police and bring criminal charges of harassment against you, regardless of what the school decides to do!

12. BYSTANDERS • Bystanders, sometimes you can and should step up and intervene when you witness an act of bullying or harassment. • You can stand up or intervene just by filling out an Incident Complaint Form. • Your identity can be kept confidential. • There is strength in numbers! Several students can fill out an incident report at the same time. • Adults can fill them out too!

13. Bystanders, it may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.

14. Stopping Harassment & Bullying is everyone’s responsibility!