The League of Iowa Human & Civil Rights Agencies is an informal statewide organization comprised of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR) and local civil and human rights commissions throughout the state of Iowa. This blog provides information about federal and state civil rights laws impacting Iowans. To learn more about the League, please visit http://www.leagueofiowahumanrights.com/.




Monday, February 28, 2011

Are There Protections Against Harassment in Schools?

Harassment in Education: It is Against the Law!

Harassment is illegal in all areas protected by Iowa Code Chapter 216. This includes education, employment, public accommodations, credit and housing.

Acts of harassment take place every day in schools across the country. Frequently these acts, even if reported to administration, are dismissed as harmless, as "kids will be kids," or as "no big deal." Many people do not realize that harassment that interferes with a person's educational progress is illegal, just as it is illegal in the workplace.

Harassment because of sex, race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical and mental disability is illegal. Both boys and girls can experience sexual harassment. And both girls and boys could be harassed by someone of the same sex.

Hallways and classrooms are the places where harassment most frequently takes place, in spite of the fact that these places are public and other people are usually present. Other places where harassment takes place include school grounds, the gymnasium, pool, locker rooms, restrooms, parking lots, school buses and on field trips. Four out of five students who are harassed are targeted by a current or former student of their school, with the remainder of the harassment coming from adults or school staff.