BDCHS Bullying and Harassment Policies
Bullying (which includes cyber-bullying) is a form of aggression and occurs when a person(s) who perceives a power imbalance, willfully subjects another person (victim), whoever he or she may be, to intentional, unwanted and unprovoked hurtful verbal and/or physical action(s) which result(s) in the victim feeling oppressed (stress, injury, discomfort) at any school site or school-sponsored activity or event. Bullying is defined as: systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation. Bullying may also occur as various forms of hazing, including initiation rites perpetrated against a new student or a new member of a team.
Students who engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment to include verbal or written reprimand, in-school or out-of-school suspension, change of placement and/or expulsion.
Allegations of bullying shall be promptly investigated, giving due regard to the need for confidentiality and the safety of the victim and/or any individual(s) who report an incident(s) of bullying.
Examples or types of bullying may include, but are not limited to:
Although boys are more often the perpetrators and victims of bullying, girls tend to bully in more indirect ways (manipulating friendships, obstructing classmates and spreading malicious rumors). However, it is quite possible for bullying to occur in many different types of interpersonal relationships in a school setting.
Cyber-Bullying
Cyberbullying is defined as bullying through the use of:
If You Are The Victim of Bullying:
To Minimize the Risk of Being Accused of Bullying
Harassment
Harassment is defined as: any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gestures, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that:
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment is specifically prohibited by state and federal law, and instances of harassment may result in both civil and criminal liability on the part of the individual harasser as well as the school board. The board shall not tolerate sexual harassment activity by any of its students or employees. Sexual harassment occurs when a person subjects another person to any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature on school property or at a school-sponsored event. Persons who engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment. Consequences for proven allegations of sexual harassment are addressed later in this section.
Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to the following:
Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments or welcomed interactions of a socially acceptable nature. Sexual harassment is defined as any physical, verbal and/or graphic sexual advance, request for sexual favors, and other sexually-oriented conduct which is offensive or objectionable to the recipient. Brooks DeBartolo policy forbids sexual harassment and outlines the consequences of this inappropriate behavior.
Teen Dating Violence or Abuse
BDCHS has adopted the Florida Department of Education’s policy prohibiting teen dating violence and abuse in accordance with Section 1006.148 of Florida Statutes. This is a comprehensive policy integrated with the BDCHS current discipline, conduct, and behavioral policies and expectations. Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School is committed to providing an educational environment that is free of any violence or abuse. The policy in its entirety may be found on the BDCHS Student Services Portal under the “Resources” tab (www.bdchsstudentservices.weebly.com).
Teen dating violence is defined as a pattern of emotional, verbal, sexual, or physical abuse used by one person in a current or past dating relationship to exert power and control over another when one or both of the partners is a teenager. Abuse may include insults, coercion, social sabotage, sexual harassment, stalking, threats and/or acts of physical or sexual abuse. The abusive partner uses this pattern of violent and coercive behavior to gain power and maintain control over the dating partner. This may also include abuse, harassment, and stalking via electronic devices such as cell phones and computers, and harassment through a third party, and may be physical, mental, or both.
Integral to the BDCHS Model Policy against Teen Dating Violence or Abuse is the acknowledgement and observance of the following victims’ rights to the extent allowed by federal and state law:
Victims’ Rights:
All parties in a teen dating violence or abuse case have the right to have a support person present during all stages of the investigation. A support person includes domestic violence victim advocates, parents/guardians, or other advisors. Please contact the office of student services with any questions pertaining to this policy.
Students who engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment to include verbal or written reprimand, in-school or out-of-school suspension, change of placement and/or expulsion.
Allegations of bullying shall be promptly investigated, giving due regard to the need for confidentiality and the safety of the victim and/or any individual(s) who report an incident(s) of bullying.
Examples or types of bullying may include, but are not limited to:
- Physical Bullying - punching, shoving, poking, strangling, hair-pulling, beating, biting and excessive tickling;
- Verbal Bullying - such acts as hurtful name-calling, teasing and gossip;
- Emotional (Psychological) Bullying - rejecting, terrorizing, extorting, defaming, humiliating, blackmailing, rating/ranking of personal characteristics such as race, disability, ethnicity, or perceived sexual orientation, manipulating friendships, isolating, ostracizing and peer pressure;
- Sexual Bullying - many of the actions listed above as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual propositioning, sexual harassment and abuse involving actual physical contact and sexual assault. In many cases, gender and cross-gender sexual harassment may also qualify as bullying.
- Cyber-bullying - any technology-related activities that adversely affect the ability of a student to receive an education or that disrupt the orderly operation of school.
Although boys are more often the perpetrators and victims of bullying, girls tend to bully in more indirect ways (manipulating friendships, obstructing classmates and spreading malicious rumors). However, it is quite possible for bullying to occur in many different types of interpersonal relationships in a school setting.
- Bullying may be limited to a single incident. However, in most cases, the bullying is characterized by repeated harmful actions on the part of the bully(ies).
- Personnel at all levels are responsible for taking corrective action to prevent bullying at any of the school board sites or activities. Information relative to the prevention and correction of bullying shall be provided in writing to district personnel, students and parents/guardians.
- An individual has the legal right to report an incident(s) of bullying without fear of reprisal or retaliation at any time. Retaliation is defined in the dictionary as meaning “to pay back (an injury) in kind.” [When a person is accused of having engaged in an inappropriate fashion, especially bullying, the common reaction of that person is to be angry and want to pay the “victim” back (retaliate).] Retaliation must not occur. Some examples of retaliation are:
- attempting to discuss the matter in any way while it is under investigation;
- spreading rumors;
- following the person;
- becoming physical in any way;
- destroying property;
- using a cell phone or any other electronic or written form of communication to retaliate in any way;
- ostracizing.
- Proven allegations of bullying can have serious consequences for the party deemed guilty, including but not limited to the following:
- If the party deemed guilty is a student, the range of punishment could include verbal and written reprimand, in-school or out-of-school suspension, change of placement and/or expulsion;
- If the party deemed guilty is a school board employee, the range of punishment could include a letter of caution, written reprimand, suspension with pay and/or termination;
- If the party deemed guilty is neither a student nor a school board employee, appropriate steps shall be taken, which could include limiting the access of this party to school board property and any other action deemed necessary, including criminal prosecution.
Cyber-Bullying
Cyberbullying is defined as bullying through the use of:
- Specified technology or electronic communications;
- The creation of a webpage or weblog in which the creator;
- Assumes the identity of another person; or
- Knowingly impersonates another person; or
- The distribution of an electronic communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that is accessible to others.
- Bullying or harassment through the use of data or computer software that is accessed at a non-school related location, activity, function, or program or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school is prohibited, if it:
- Substantially interferes with or limits the victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school; or
- Substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.
- Current law prohibits bullying or harassment through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network of a public K-12 educational institution:
- During a public K-12 education program or activity;
- During a school-related or school-sponsored program or activity;
- On a public K-12 school bus; or
- Through a computer, computer system, or computer network that, regardless of ownership, is:
- Physically located on school property; or
- At school-related or school-sponsored programs or activities.
If You Are The Victim of Bullying:
- Clearly tell the “bully(ies)” to stop;
- Don’t ignore the incident. Immediately report the incident to someone at school or seek peer mediation at school. Tell your parent(s) / guardian(s);
- If the bullying continues after you have clearly told the bully (ies) to stop, make a written record of the incident including date, time, witness or witnesses and parties involved in the incident. Report the incident immediately to an adult who has authority over the bully (ies); for example: staff member, teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, or principal;
- Avoid being alone with the person(s) who have attempted to bully you in the past.
To Minimize the Risk of Being Accused of Bullying
- DO:
- Keep your hands to yourself.
- Remember that NO one has a right to harm another person in any way.
- Think before you speak.
- Immediately apologize if you accidentally say or do something that has made another person feel oppressed.
- Report all incidents of bullying behavior you have witnessed to appropriate school personnel.
- DON’T:
- Touch anyone without his or her permission and especially in an inappropriate way.
- Keep interacting with a person after he or she has perceived your behavior toward him or her as being “inappropriate” and has clearly told you to “stop.”
- Make remarks that may cause another person to feel “oppressed” (stressful, scared, and intimidated).
Harassment
Harassment is defined as: any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gestures, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that:
- Places a student or school employee in a reasonable fear of harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property;
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or
- Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.
- Bullying or harassment is prohibited:
- During any education program or activity conducted by a public K-12 educational institution;
- During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity or on a school bus of a public K-12 educational institution;
- Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network of a public K-12 educational institution.
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual harassment is specifically prohibited by state and federal law, and instances of harassment may result in both civil and criminal liability on the part of the individual harasser as well as the school board. The board shall not tolerate sexual harassment activity by any of its students or employees. Sexual harassment occurs when a person subjects another person to any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature on school property or at a school-sponsored event. Persons who engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment. Consequences for proven allegations of sexual harassment are addressed later in this section.
Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to the following:
- verbal harassment or abuse of a sexual nature;
- subtle pressure for sexual activity;
- repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications (for example, a person’s body, clothes or sexual involvement, display of sexually suggestive objects, pictures or written materials);
- sexual or suggestive comments, jokes, or gestures;
- being “sexually rated” by an individual, for example, on a scale from 1 to 10;
- being pressured to go out with someone;
- being the recipient of whistles, jeers, or catcalls;
- being touched, grabbed, or brushed up against or pinched in a sexual way;
- spreading sexual rumors about a person;
- having clothing pulled/removed in a sexual manner;
- having one’s way blocked in a sexual way;
- placing messages or graffiti written about that person on a computer screen, restroom walls, locker rooms, or any other public site;
- being forced to kiss someone or do something other than kissing;
- being called a name that identifies one’s sexual orientation: i.e., gay, lesbian, straight, hetero, homo, etc.
- being spied on or photographed while dressing;
- requesting sexual favors;
- discrimination against students or employees because of real or perceived sexual orientation/gender identity or expression thereof.
Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments or welcomed interactions of a socially acceptable nature. Sexual harassment is defined as any physical, verbal and/or graphic sexual advance, request for sexual favors, and other sexually-oriented conduct which is offensive or objectionable to the recipient. Brooks DeBartolo policy forbids sexual harassment and outlines the consequences of this inappropriate behavior.
- Brooks DeBartolo shall not tolerate sexual harassment at any of its sites or activities.
- Furthermore, personnel, at all levels, are responsible for taking corrective action to prevent harassment at any of the school board’s sites or activities.
- An individual has the legal right at any time to raise the issue of sexual harassment with appropriate site and/or district personnel without fear of reprisal.
- Allegations of sexual harassment shall be promptly investigated, giving due regard to the need for confidentiality.
- Information relative to the prevention and correction of sexual harassment shall be provided in writing to personnel and students.
- Proven allegations of sexual harassment can have serious consequences for the party deemed guilty, including but not limited to the following:
- If the party deemed guilty is a student, the range of punishment could include verbal and written reprimand, out-of-school suspension, change of placement, and/or expulsion.
- If the party deemed guilty is a school employee, the range of punishment could include written reprimand, suspension without pay, and/or termination;
- Sexual harassment occurs when a person bothers another person using sexual words, pictures, gestures, or conduct that the other person would find offensive. Sexual harassment can also occur when a person is forced by his or her location or situation to see or overhear sexual comments, gestures, or conduct that he or she finds offensive.
- While more cases of males harassing females have been reported thus far in the United States, it is quite possible for males to harass other males or for females to harass males or other females.
- A person is being harassed if one or more of the identified behaviors are occurring, and this behavior is unwanted and unwelcome.
- Those being sexually harassed should take the following steps:
- Clearly tell the harasser to stop.
- If the harassment continues, make a written record of the incident including date, time, witness or witnesses and parties involved in the incident. Report the incident immediately to an adult who has authority over the harasser, for example, staff member, teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, or principal.
- A sexual harassment complaint will result in a Title IX investigation by administration.
Teen Dating Violence or Abuse
BDCHS has adopted the Florida Department of Education’s policy prohibiting teen dating violence and abuse in accordance with Section 1006.148 of Florida Statutes. This is a comprehensive policy integrated with the BDCHS current discipline, conduct, and behavioral policies and expectations. Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School is committed to providing an educational environment that is free of any violence or abuse. The policy in its entirety may be found on the BDCHS Student Services Portal under the “Resources” tab (www.bdchsstudentservices.weebly.com).
Teen dating violence is defined as a pattern of emotional, verbal, sexual, or physical abuse used by one person in a current or past dating relationship to exert power and control over another when one or both of the partners is a teenager. Abuse may include insults, coercion, social sabotage, sexual harassment, stalking, threats and/or acts of physical or sexual abuse. The abusive partner uses this pattern of violent and coercive behavior to gain power and maintain control over the dating partner. This may also include abuse, harassment, and stalking via electronic devices such as cell phones and computers, and harassment through a third party, and may be physical, mental, or both.
Integral to the BDCHS Model Policy against Teen Dating Violence or Abuse is the acknowledgement and observance of the following victims’ rights to the extent allowed by federal and state law:
Victims’ Rights:
- Right to be treated with respect and dignity
- Right to be informed of his/her options with regard to notifying law enforcement authorities, and to be assisted in notifying such authorities
- Right not to have parents/guardians notified, if such notification would endanger the student(s)
- Right to be free from pressure not to report crimes to civil or criminal authorities
- Right to have any violence committed against him/her investigated by the proper civil and criminal authorities
- Right to full and prompt cooperation from school personnel in obtaining and securing evidence necessary for any potential criminal/civil proceedings
- Right to be informed of any disciplinary actions taken against the offender
- Right to attend classes and to work in an environment free from unwanted contact or proximity with alleged assailants insofar as the school is able to provide
- Right to be free from violence at school
- Right to transfer from school
- Right to be free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment
- Right to referrals for services
- Right to have a support person present
All parties in a teen dating violence or abuse case have the right to have a support person present during all stages of the investigation. A support person includes domestic violence victim advocates, parents/guardians, or other advisors. Please contact the office of student services with any questions pertaining to this policy.
