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I’ll give you some sources to
Submitted by DakotaLegal on
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I’ll give you some sources to
Submitted by DakotaLegal on
I’ll give you some sources to get legal counseling, and perhaps even some mediation there at the school. The first priority is to stop the harassment: the second priority is to see if there has been so much harm that only a law suit can (a) protect your rights, and (b) hopefully change the culture of the school. I recommend you look at a court case (talking about when a teacher or faculty member is acting “unprofessionally” http://caselaw. findlaw.com/az-court-of-appeals/1167416.html) and contact an Arizona state administrative agency (Arizona Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General, in Phoenix, and here’s the complaint form https://www.azag.gov/complaints/civil-rights). You don’t have to be a lawyer to read the case mentioned above. But being able to point out that courts in Arizona do indeed take these matters seriously is also often enough to get the attention of the right people in your school.
I also want to suggest you consider talking to a counselor. Though it sounds as though you’re a very mature person, and handling this very well, there’s good legal reason to get some mental health counseling. Going to a counselor can actually help prove the extent of damages if you should need to file a civil suit.
Tell The School Administration.
Once you alert school authorities, then you have made them at least somewhat legally responsible for researching and then, if necessary, acting to protect your rights as a student. Involving your local school system is especially important since Arizona is only one of two states that leaves the definition of “bullying” entirely up to its local school district. This may lead to odd results, with two schools being very close together, but “worlds apart” in terms of tolerating some sorts of bullying.
Asking for a copy of your school’s policy on bullying and harassment is a good place to start. And after you make a complaint about bullying, the local school is required to file a report. If they don’t, they are breaking Arizona’s anti-bullying law: http://koi-education.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-Arizonas_Bullying_Laws_ New_Legislation_for_an_Old_Problem1.pdf.
Start Collecting Evidence
You should record your recollection and reactions to what you’ve gone through. I suggest avoiding highly personal information or expressions in a written record. But if you can write down approximate dates, the people involved, and the offensive conduct, then you will have a very good start in developing a legal record.
If the bullying has meant real damage to you, be sure to list them objectively. Examples of harm will include loss of appetite, changes in sleep, depression (especially if you sought counseling or began taking any anti-depressants). If you quit any school activities as a result, these also need to be recorded. You have already mentioned the changes in your grades, and this is very likely a real legal damage resulting from the harassment.
There may instances where it’s harassment, and you don’t even know it. Hopefully, you have some friends who witnessed the conduct or became aware of things being said about you. They can help prove not only objective harassment, but also the obvious extent of bullying.
Get An Advocate
I understand completely if you want someone to help you get evidence and then, for example, help you write a strong letter to the school administration identifying the harassment. There are some good sources to approach for advice, or even legal help. Here’s one: http://www.clsaz.org/site/. While it’s important to have the support of your parents (I’ve been assuming you are a minor), this isn’t always possible in these situations. http://www.school-counseling-zone.com/support-files/confidentiality-guidelines-for-school-counselors-short-version.pdf. Legal aid often declines some cases when the role of the parents is unknown and (if you are a minor) you’re unemancipated. On the other hand, some lawyers specialize in these issues, and will meet with you regardless of your age. Try here: http://www.azbar.org/workingwithlawyers /topics/ineedlegalhelp-whatshouldido.
If you have any kind of learning disability, I strongly suggest getting help from your state Protection and Advocacy group…http://www.acdl.com/. A violation of your civil rights may mean special damages.
I’ll give you some sources to get legal counseling, and perhaps even some mediation there at the school. The first priority is to stop the harassment: the second priority is to see if there has been so much harm that only a law suit can (a) protect your rights, and (b) hopefully change the culture of the school. I recommend you look at a court case (talking about when a teacher or faculty member is acting “unprofessionally” http://caselaw. findlaw.com/az-court-of-appeals/1167416.html) and contact an Arizona state administrative agency (Arizona Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General, in Phoenix, and here’s the complaint form https://www.azag.gov/complaints/civil-rights). You don’t have to be a lawyer to read the case mentioned above. But being able to point out that courts in Arizona do indeed take these matters seriously is also often enough to get the attention of the right people in your school.
I also want to suggest you consider talking to a counselor. Though it sounds as though you’re a very mature person, and handling this very well, there’s good legal reason to get some mental health counseling. Going to a counselor can actually help prove the extent of damages if you should need to file a civil suit.
Tell The School Administration.
Once you alert school authorities, then you have made them at least somewhat legally responsible for researching and then, if necessary, acting to protect your rights as a student. Involving your local school system is especially important since Arizona is only one of two states that leaves the definition of “bullying” entirely up to its local school district. This may lead to odd results, with two schools being very close together, but “worlds apart” in terms of tolerating some sorts of bullying.
Asking for a copy of your school’s policy on bullying and harassment is a good place to start. And after you make a complaint about bullying, the local school is required to file a report. If they don’t, they are breaking Arizona’s anti-bullying law: http://koi-education.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-Arizonas_Bullying_Laws_ New_Legislation_for_an_Old_Problem1.pdf.
Start Collecting Evidence
You should record your recollection and reactions to what you’ve gone through. I suggest avoiding highly personal information or expressions in a written record. But if you can write down approximate dates, the people involved, and the offensive conduct, then you will have a very good start in developing a legal record.
If the bullying has meant real damage to you, be sure to list them objectively. Examples of harm will include loss of appetite, changes in sleep, depression (especially if you sought counseling or began taking any anti-depressants). If you quit any school activities as a result, these also need to be recorded. You have already mentioned the changes in your grades, and this is very likely a real legal damage resulting from the harassment.
There may instances where it’s harassment, and you don’t even know it. Hopefully, you have some friends who witnessed the conduct or became aware of things being said about you. They can help prove not only objective harassment, but also the obvious extent of bullying.
Get An Advocate
I understand completely if you want someone to help you get evidence and then, for example, help you write a strong letter to the school administration identifying the harassment. There are some good sources to approach for advice, or even legal help. Here’s one: http://www.clsaz.org/site/. While it’s important to have the support of your parents (I’ve been assuming you are a minor), this isn’t always possible in these situations. http://www.school-counseling-zone.com/support-files/confidentiality-guidelines-for-school-counselors-short-version.pdf. Legal aid often declines some cases when the role of the parents is unknown and (if you are a minor) you’re unemancipated. On the other hand, some lawyers specialize in these issues, and will meet with you regardless of your age. Try here: http://www.azbar.org/workingwithlawyers /topics/ineedlegalhelp-whatshouldido.
If you have any kind of learning disability, I strongly suggest getting help from your state Protection and Advocacy group…http://www.acdl.com/. A violation of your civil rights may mean special damages.