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A student's embarrassment or fear of retribution often prevents the student from reporting the incident. Staff members must strive to
maintain an atmosphere of trust, safety, and confidentiality so that students feel comfortable sharing their experiences.School Staff should provide support in the following ways to student victimized by
hate-motivated behavior:
- Assist the victim in filling out any required school district and law enforcement reports and be sensitive to any cultural and language needs of the student. The staff should also encourage the student to
inform his or her parents about the incident
- Help the student preserve evidence from the incident, including written materials, drawings, and graffiti. Staff should also help the student identify responsible parties and possible witnesses.
- Ensure that the student receives appropriate medical treatment or counseling support. Often the student will minimize the injury or harm and refuse such assistance. Staff should still offer the
immediate assistance and longer-term support.
- Offer the student and family assistance in contacting other resources, such as law enforcement, victim-witness assistance programs, local media, and community organizations.
- Break through feelings of isolation the student might have by encouraging discussions with and support from family, friends, and other students.
- Assure the student that the school will treat the incident with appropriate seriousness by using classroom and group settings to talk about what makes a school feel safe and secure. Assure the student that
the staff will work hard to create a safe environment for all students.
School staff should work in the following ways with a student who has perpetrated a hate-motivated act:
- Talk with the perpetrator and try to determine his or her level of intent to hurt or harm. Determine whether the student has had any prior contact with other hate groups on campus, in the neighborhood, or
through the internet.
- Assist the perpetrator in contacting his or her parents and arrange for any necessary meetings with the school or police. When meeting with parents, be alert to any verbal clues regarding hate motivated
feelings.
- Explain what type of forms will be filled out and how the student's behavior is going to b described and reported. Inform the perpetrator as to what disciplinary action will be taken.
- Consider, if appropriate, face-to-face discussions with the victim (restorative justice techniques). Be sensitive to public ridicule and embarrassment because that rarely changes a person's behavior for
the better.
- Promote rehabilitation and higher levels of awareness for perpetrators and parents by having them view videos, read stories, and perform meaningful, positive deeds within the community.
This is part of a publication of the Alameda County Office of Education. 1997.
To obtain an copy of the full Hate-Motivated Behavior in Schools:
Response Strategies for School Boards, Administrators, Law Enforcement, and Communities
contact the Alameda County Office of Education - 313 West Winton Avenue, Hayward, Ca 94544; (510)6704156; fax (510)670-4161 or the Sales Office at (800)995-4099 |
