Respect for All in NYC Public Schools
Each student and staff member brings to our public school community the richness of our city’s cultural diversity and the desire for respect.
It is the policy of the Department to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, citizenship/immigration status, religion, creed, national origin, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or weight. The policy prohibits such behavior by students against other students and by staff against students.
Respect: esteem for or sense of worth or excellence of a person; proper acceptance or courtesy; regard for the dignity of another’s character; acknowledgment; the condition of being esteemed or honored; to show regard or consideration for another.
Such discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying is prohibited in school, during school hours, before or after school, while on school property, at school sponsored events, or while traveling on vehicles funded by the Department of Education.
It is also prohibited on other than school property when such behavior disrupts or would foreseeably disrupt the educational process or endangers or would foreseeably endanger the health, safety, morality or welfare of the school community.
This Frequently Asked Questions (attached) is a resource for students and parents about how to report incidents, the investigation process, and supports and interventions to prevent and address student-to-student sexual harassment and student-to-student gender-based harassment, bullying, intimidation, and/or discrimination.
Respect for All
Students who believe they have been the victim of harassment, discrimination, intimidation and/or bullying by another student or by a staff member, and all students who see or know of such behavior, should report the incident to a school staff member immediately.
It is the policy of the Department of Education to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination on account of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability or weight.
The policy prohibits such behavior by students against other students and by staff against students. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited, to: physical violence; verbal or physical conduct that threatens another with harm; hazing; taunting; exclusion from peer groups designed to humiliate or isolate; using derogatory or discriminatory language to humiliate or harass. This policy is set forth in Chancellor’s Regulations and the Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (The Discipline Code.)
Staff members who witness or learn about harassment, discrimination, bullying and/or intimidating behavior will take appropriate action to intervene to stop such behavior, including promptly reporting the behavior to appropriate school staff within one school day. Students who engaged in prohibited behavior are subject to appropriate intervention and disciplinary action consistent with the Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning (Discipline Code) and Chancellor’s Regulation A-443.
To report an incident
If you need help because someone has discriminated against, harassed, bullied or intimidated you, or if you have concerns about such behavior, you can submit a complaint online at: https://www.nycenet.edu/bullyingreporting(Open external link) or call 718-935-2288 or email RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov.
Respect for All in NYC Public Schools
Each student in NYC public schools brings to our school community the richness of our city’s cultural diversity and the desire for respect. It is the policy of the New York City Department of Education to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from sexual harassment committed by students against other students. Such harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated.
It is a violation of Chancellor’s A-831 Regulation and the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures for a student to harass another student through conduct or communication of a sexual nature, as defined below.
Students found guilty of violating this regulation will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Discipline Code and Chancellor’s Regulation A-443. (Sexual harassment of a student by an employee is prohibited, as set forth in Chancellor’s Regulation A-830.)
This policy is in effect on school grounds, school buses and at all school sponsored activities, programs and events.
A copy of Chancellor’s Regulations and the Discipline Code are available in the principal’s office and online at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/rules-for-students/discipline-code
What is sexual harassment?
Student-to-student sexual harassment is conduct and/or communication by a student directed against another student. It may be unwelcome and uninvited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature which is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent to:
- substantially interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program, school sponsored activity or any other aspect of a student’s education; or
- create a hostile, offensive, or intimidating school environment; or
- otherwise adversely affect a student’s educational opportunities.
Such behavior can constitute sexual harassment whether it is directed at persons of the same or opposite sex.
What are some examples of banned behaviors?
Sexually harassing behavior may take many forms, including but not limited to:
- engaging in physical conduct of a sexual nature such as patting, pinching, grabbing, brushing up against another person in a sexual way;
- making sexual comments, remarks, insults, and/ or jokes;
- displaying, or distributing sexually oriented or suggestive objects, pictures, drawings;
- making obscene gestures; pressuring for sexual activity; spreading rumors of a sexual nature;
- engaging in sexually violent or coercive behavior (assault, rape).
- engaging in a pattern of threatened or actual physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse to control a dating partner
What should you do if you believe you have been sexually harassed?
It is the responsibility of each principal to designate a staff member to whom reports of student-to-student sexual harassment can be made.
Any student who believes that she/he has been the victim of sexual harassment by another student should immediately report the incident to the designated staff member or to any other school staff.
Complaints should be reported as soon as possible after the incident(s) so they can be effectively investigated and addressed.
Complaints of harassment may be made verbally or in writing using the Student Complaint/Reporting Form (A-831 and A-832) - all attached.
Any staff member who witnesses student-to-student sexual harassment or who has knowledge or information or receives notice that a student may have been the victim of such behavior by another student is required to promptly verbally report the alleged act to the Sexual Harassment Prevention liaison or to the principal/designee within one (1) school day and submit the Complaint/Reporting(Open external link) Form describing the incident to the RFA liaison or the principal/designee no later than two (2) school days after making the verbal report.
What happens to a student who sexually harasses another student?
The Department of Education prohibits this behavior. Students who violate the Discipline Code will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Citywide Standards and Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.
What happens after a complaint is made?
All reports of sexual harassment will be investigated as soon as possible, but not later than five days after the complaint is made. The principal/designee must take the investigative steps as stated in Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.
If the principal believes that the alleged conduct constitutes criminal activity, she/he must contact the police. Following completion of the investigation, the principal must issue a written report of his/her findings. This report must be issued within ten school days of receipt of the complaint. The school shall report the results of its investigation of each complaint filed under these procedures in writing to the complainant in accordance with state and federal laws regarding data or records privacy and consistent with the privacy of the alleged harasser.
The report shall include a determination of whether the allegations have been substantiated and whether they appear to be violations of Chancellor’s Regulation A-831.
What help is available for students?
The student who is victimized, the student who engages in the prohibited behavior, and student witnesses are entitled to receive appropriate supports and interventions, which may include referral to separate school based counseling and/or community-based agencies for counseling, support, and education. These supports can be provided before, during and after the school's investigation of the incident, as needed.
Retaliation against someone who reports an incident of harassment, bullying, intimidation or discriminatory behavior or who helps in an investigation is prohibited. Students who believe they have been retaliated against should immediately contact a school administrator.
To file a report, or if you need help getting support, you may request assistance by:
As noted below, parents may also use the Request for Escalation Staff Assistance Form to get additional help.
Confidentiality: It is the NYC Public Schools’ policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, sometimes, we may need to share information in order to resolve a complaint. Therefore, information regarding a complaint may be disclosed in appropriate circumstance to individuals with the need to know.
In accordance with state and federal laws protecting the confidentiality of student record information; the parents of the alleged victim may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the alleged victim and the parents of the accused student may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the accused student.
Sexual Harassment Poster
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome and uninvited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature. It is a violation of DOE policy for students to engage in this behavior on school property or off-school grounds when the behavior disrupts or endangers the school community. If you feel that you have been the victim of, or witnessed, such behavior by another student, please let your teacher, counselor, the school-designated staff member listed below or someone else on the school staff know.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report to a school staff member, you may confidentially contact the Office of Safety and Youth Development by emailing your complaint to RespectforAll@schools.nyc.gov(Open external link). You may also make a confidential written report. Copies of the complaint form and Chancellor’s Regulation A-831 are available in the principal’s office or on the DOE’s website.
To file a report, or if you need help getting support, you may request assistance by:
As noted below, parents may also use the Request for Escalation Staff Assistance Form to get additional help.
Confidentiality: It is the NYC Public Schools’ policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, sometimes, we may need to share information in order to resolve a complaint. Therefore, information regarding a complaint may be disclosed in appropriate circumstance to individuals with the need to know.
In accordance with state and federal laws protecting the confidentiality of student record information; the parents of the alleged victim may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the alleged victim and the parents of the accused student may only be notified of any follow-up action, interventions or supports that pertain to the accused student.
Escalation Assistance
You may seek assistance from escalation staff to coordinate the completion of an open investigation of a complaint of student-to-student harassment, discrimination, intimidation and/or bullying (A-832 Complaint), including sexual harassment (A-831 Complaint) if:
- You believe school staff retaliated against you or your child for making a prior A-831 or A-832 Complaint at the same school; or
- Your child has been the victim of two or more A-831 or A-832 Complaints in the same school year that were determined to be material incidents (i.e., violations of Chancellor’s Regulations A-831 or A-832); or
- You did not receive a Notice of Determination from the school within 10 school days of the school’s receipt of the open A-831 or A-832 Complaint; or
- Your child as the victim, accused, and/or witness need additional help accessing supports and interventions regarding an A-831 or A-832 Complaint reported to the school.
Please complete this form below and email it to the Family Support Coordinator for the superintendent that oversees your school:
The list of superintendents and their Family Support Coordinators can be found on the Superintendents page of the DOE website. You can also find your Family Support Coordinator on your school’s webpage, which can be located with the Find A School tool.
Additional Resources
For additional resources please visit our Respect for All: Fostering Anti-Bullying Practices website.
A copy of Chancellor’s Regulations and the Discipline Code(Open external link) are available in the principal’s office and online.
What are some examples of banned behaviors?
Discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying may take many forms and can be physical, social, verbal or written. Physical harassment involves physical injury or threat of injury. Social harassment refers to the use of peer rejection or exclusion to humiliate or isolate a person. Verbal harassment refers to derogatory teasing, taunting, or insulting someone. Written discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying includes electronic communications (cyber-bullying) using information technology including, but not limited, to: Internet, cell phone, email, personal digital assistant, social media, blogs, chat rooms, and gaming systems.
Some examples include:
- Physical violence; stalking;
- Verbal or physical conduct that threatens another with harm;
- Seeking to coerce or compel a student or staff member to do something; hazing;
- Taunting; exclusion from peer groups designed to humiliate or isolate;
- Using derogatory language or making derogatory jokes or name calling to humiliate or harass;
- Making derogatory statements, using a name or pronoun or pronouncing a name, or engaging in hostile acts based on a student’s race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship/immigration status, weight, or disability;
- Written or graphic material, including graffiti, containing comments or stereotypes that are either posted, circulated or are written or printed on clothing or posted on the Internet (cyberbullying) that are derogatory of others; engaging in this behavior based on a person’s race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship/immigration status, weight or disability.
What should you do if you believe another student or a staff member has harassed, bullied or discriminated against you or if you have witnessed such behavior?
Students who believe they have been the victim of bullying or intimidating behavior, harassment or discrimination by another student or by a staff member, and all students with knowledge of such behavior, should report the incident immediately.
- A student may make a report of bullying, intimidation, discrimination or harassment by another student in writing or orally to the school staff members listed on your school’s Respect for All posters which are displayed throughout your school or to any school staff member.
- A student may make a report of staff-to-student harassment, intimidation and/or bullying to the principal /designee or to the Office of Special Investigations.
- A student may make a report of staff-to-student discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, citizenship/immigration status, weight, or disability to the principal/designee or to the Office of Equal Opportunity.
- Reports should be made as soon as possible after the incident so they can be effectively investigated and addressed.
- Any staff member who witnesses student-to-student discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying or who has knowledge or information or receives notice that a student may have been the victim of such behavior by another student is required to promptly verbally report the alleged act to the RFA liaison(s) or to the principal/designee within one (1) school day and submit the Complaint/Reporting Form(Open external link) describing the incident to the RFA liaison or the principal/designee no later than two (2) school days after making the verbal report.
Chancellor’s Regulations
Chancellor’s Regulation A-832: Student to Student Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation and/or Bullying,
For Staff to Student Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation and/or Bullying, please see:
Chancellor’s Regulation A-830: Filing Internal Complaints of Unlawful Discrimination/Harassment
Chancellor’s Regulation A-420: Pupil Behavior and Discipline - Corporal Punishment Chancellor’s Regulation A -421 Verbal Abuse
What happens after a report is made?
All reports of bullying, harassment, discrimination or intimidating behavior will be investigated. Students who engaged in prohibited behavior are subject to appropriate intervention and disciplinary action consistent with the Citywide Behavioral Expectations to Support Student Learning (Discipline Code) and Chancellor’s Regulation A–443.
If the behavior constitutes criminal activity, the police will be contacted. Student Support If appropriate, individual or group counseling, referral to an external agency and/or other interventions will be provided.
Student Support
Retaliation against someone who reports an incident of harassment, bullying, intimidation or discriminatory behavior or who helps in an investigation is prohibited. Students who believe they have been retaliated against should immediately contact a school supervisor.
How to report or if additional assistance is needed, submit complaint online(Open external link) or:
- Call (718) 935-2288
- Email: RespectForAll@schools.nyc.gov
- Tell a staff member at your school
- Call the UFT BRAVE Hotline 212 -709 -3222 Monday–Friday from 2:30PM to 9:30PM
Confidentiality
It is the NYC Public Schools’ policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy. However, sometimes, we may need to share information in order to resolve a complaint. Therefore, information regarding a complaint may be disclosed in appropriate circumstance to individuals with the need to know or where required by law.
