Wherever you go to school, you have a right to be safe.

  • If you experience harassment or bullying by other students, teachers or school staff, you can get help to get it to stop.
  • You also have the right to report to the police anyone – in or outside of school – who physically harms you, threatens you or vandalizes your property.

What Can You Do if You’re Experiencing Bullying?

Tell somebody.

  • If you have understanding friends, parents, or counselors, use them as a support system.

Keep notes on what is happening.

  • Record who, when, where, and how. For example:
    • On August 27, 2013, my friend Mandy and I were walking to our second class and John shoved me into the locker and called me a homophobic slur.
    • On August 27, 2013, I opened my locker to retrieve books for my English class and I found an anonymous letter threatening to kill me because I’m transgender.
  • Keep your notes; do not give the originals to anyone else.
  • Consider keeping your notes in a journal.

Get a copy of your school’s policies on student conduct and discipline.

  • It should be in your student handbook or on the school website.
  • You can also talk with your guidance counselor or school administrator.

Report bullying or harassment to a teacher or school administrator.

Make your report in writing – email will create a good record, or make a copy of a handwritten complaint – so that you can prove you made it.

Follow up.

  • If you do not hear back from your school or do not think it took your report seriously, ask in writing (again, email is great) for follow up.
  • Don’t suffer! Contact GLAD Answers for help.

All six New England states have strong anti-bullying laws that apply to public schools.

  • The laws in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont also apply to some private schools.
  • Find information about your state’s law đây.

These laws require action.

  • If staff at your school see bullying, they must report it.
  • When bullying is reported, your school must investigate it.
  • If the investigation determines that bullying did happen, your school must take appropriate action to keep the target of bullying safe and to prevent future incidences of bullying.
  • Schools are required to make sure that both students and parents are aware of your school’s anti-bullying policies and that you have access to copies of those policies.

Cyberbullying

  • Each New England state has a legal definition of cyberbullying as part of its anti-bullying law
  • If you experience cyberbullying, you can report it and get help!
  • If you’re a parent or ally, remember: if it’s mean, intervene!
  • Check out these great resources for reporting and stopping cyberbullying, from the LGBT Technology Partnership