Harassment and Bullying:

Get Help. Take Action.

You have the right to be free from bullying and harassment. It's the law.  School districts in Washington have a legal obligation under state and federal law to protect students from harassment and bullying and to take proactive steps to ensure that all students are safe at school. 

New policy guidance from the U.S. Office for Civil Rights (OCR) makes it clear that schools must take prompt and effective action to investigate, remedy, and prevent incidents of harassment.  OCR is taking a strong approach to harassment, and it expects compliance.  OCR will be filing complaints against school districts around the country that fail to respond to harassment.

So, what should you do if you or someone you know is being harassed?  

1. Make a written record of exactly what happened and how it made you feel.  Put down as much information as possible (who, what, when, and where) including the identity of by-standers who may have witnessed the event. It is important to do this as soon as possible while your memory is fresh.

2. Report the Incident Immediately.  Tell the school principal, a teacher, counselor, or any other trusted adult in the school district.  Be clear that you are making a formal report. A report can be verbal or written, but it may be taken more seriously by the school if you put it in writing. See Sample Reporting Form. 

3. You have the right to file a complaint anonymously (without disclosing your identity) or confidentially (ask that your identity be kept secret).

Some people may try to minimize what happened to you or discourage you from reporting the incident. But remember: you deserve to feel welcome, respected, and safe at school.

4. Follow up with your school.  If the incident isn’t quickly resolved, check back with the school and find out what action they plan to take. By law, your school has an obligation to:

  • Promptly investigate your report.
  • Stop any harassment or bullying.
  • Take appropriate disciplinary action against the harassers.
  • Prevent retaliation against you for making a report. 

What To Do If Your School Won’t Help   If you have reported incidents of harassment or bullying to your school officials, and they haven’t  taken prompt reasonable steps to stop the conduct and make you feel safe and supported, you should contact the ACLU-WA for help.

If you feel physically threatened or have been assaulted, you may want to consider contacting law enforcement and take steps to make sure you are safe.