Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes: A Guide for Schools

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

This guide represents a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). Its purpose is to provide elementary and secondary schools with practical guidance to help protect students from harassment and violence based on race, color, national origin, sex and disability.

Designing and implementing a comprehensive approach toward protecting students from harassment, schools can establish the framework for a safe environment conducive to learning for all students. The key components are as follows.

Additional Resources

Develop written policies that prohibit unlawful harassment

Identify and respond to all incidents of harassment and violence

Provide formal complaint procedures

Create a school climate that supports racial, cultural and other forms of diversity

Work with law enforcement agencies to address and prevent hate crimes and civil rights violations

Source:

*Protecting Students From Harassment and Hate Crime, A Guide for Schools, U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and National Association of Attorneys General, January 1999

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