Voices Against Cruelty, Hatred and Intolerance - VACHI A new club with a new attitude for _______ High School

What is Vachi? VACHI is a club whose mission is to educate students, teachers and parents about the consequences of hate motivated behavior with the hope of reducing/eliminating it from the lives of ___________ High School Students. VACHI is a club whose mission is to educate students, teachers and parents about the consequences of hate motivated behavior with the hope of reducing/eliminating it from the lives of ___________ High School Students.

What is Hate Motivated Behavior? Hate-Motivated behavior is any act or statement motivated by hostility towards a victim’s actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, religious belief, age, disability, or any other physical or cultural characteristic… In other words: Hate-Motivated behavior is any act or statement motivated by hostility towards a victim’s actual or perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, religious belief, age, disability, or any other physical or cultural characteristic… In other words: Bullying Bullying Harassment (verbal, sexual, physical) Harassment (verbal, sexual, physical) Name calling (taunting/teasing) Name calling (taunting/teasing)

The Scope of the Problem Bullying/harassment is widespread and perhaps the most underreported safety problem on American School campuses. Bullying/harassment is widespread and perhaps the most underreported safety problem on American School campuses. US Department of Justice Office of Community Problem-Oriented Guides for Police, Problem Specific Guides Series No. 12: Bullying in Schools, US Department of Justice Office of Community Problem-Oriented Guides for Police, Problem Specific Guides Series No. 12: Bullying in Schools,

The Under Reporting Problem Most students do not report bullying and harassment to adults. As a result, teachers may underestimate the extent of the problem in their school and may be able to identify only a portion of the actual bullies. Studies also suggest that children do not believe that most teachers intervene when told about bullying and harassment. Most students do not report bullying and harassment to adults. As a result, teachers may underestimate the extent of the problem in their school and may be able to identify only a portion of the actual bullies. Studies also suggest that children do not believe that most teachers intervene when told about bullying and harassment. DOJ Study, Note 11 DOJ Study, Note 11

Why Not Ask for Help? If the victims are as miserable as the research suggests, why don’t they appeal for help? One reason may be that “historically, adults’ responses have been so disappointing.” In a survey of American middle and high school students, “66 percent of victims of bullying believed school professionals responded poorly to the bullying/harassment problems that they observed. If the victims are as miserable as the research suggests, why don’t they appeal for help? One reason may be that “historically, adults’ responses have been so disappointing.” In a survey of American middle and high school students, “66 percent of victims of bullying believed school professionals responded poorly to the bullying/harassment problems that they observed. DOJ Study, note 12-13

Reasons for Non Reporting Fear of retaliation Fear of retaliation Feeling shame at not being able to stand up for themselves Feeling shame at not being able to stand up for themselves Fear that they would not be believed Fear that they would not be believed Not wanting to worry their parents Not wanting to worry their parents Having no confidence that anything would change as a result Having no confidence that anything would change as a result Things their parents’ or teacher’s advice would make the problem worse Things their parents’ or teacher’s advice would make the problem worse Fearing their teacher would tell the bully who told on him or her Fearing their teacher would tell the bully who told on him or her Thinking it was worse to be thought of as a snitch. Thinking it was worse to be thought of as a snitch. DOJ Study

Student Witnesses Student-witnesses appear to have a central role in creating opportunities for bullying and harassment. In a study of bullying in junior and senior high schools, 88 percent of students reported having observed bullying. Studies suggest only between 10 to 20 percent of non involved students provide any real help when another student is victimized. DOJ Study, notes 14-16

The Consequences Victims of bullying and harassment suffer consequences beyond embarrassment. Some victims experience psychological and/or physical distress, are frequently absent and cannot concentrate on schoolwork. Research generally shows that victims have low self-esteem, and their victimization can lead to depression that can last for years after the victimization. Victims of bullying and harassment suffer consequences beyond embarrassment. Some victims experience psychological and/or physical distress, are frequently absent and cannot concentrate on schoolwork. Research generally shows that victims have low self-esteem, and their victimization can lead to depression that can last for years after the victimization. DOJ Study, notes DOJ Study, notes 49-50

IN THIS YEAR OF CHANGE, VACHI WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

VACHI’s Goals We want to work with the Principal, Counselors and Teachers on a comprehensive strategy We want to work with the Principal, Counselors and Teachers on a comprehensive strategy We want to conduct a survey to gather information to share with students, parents, teachers and the administration We want to conduct a survey to gather information to share with students, parents, teachers and the administration We want to provide materials for teachers to help spread the message We want to provide materials for teachers to help spread the message We want to enlist students to be part of the solution and not part of the problem – to understand that HATE HURTS and to stand up against hate when they see it. We want to enlist students to be part of the solution and not part of the problem – to understand that HATE HURTS and to stand up against hate when they see it. We want to promote tolerance with school wide activities We want to promote tolerance with school wide activities

How Can You Help? Who Better to Teach than Teachers!!!

Ways You Can Help Post No-Hate Zone signs in each class Post No-Hate Zone signs in each class Remind students what a No Hate Zone means by reading a message approved by the principal Remind students what a No Hate Zone means by reading a message approved by the principal Help administer the survey after we write it and get approval from the administration Help administer the survey after we write it and get approval from the administration Help by keeping your eyes and ears open for signs of hate Help by keeping your eyes and ears open for signs of hate Model positive statements toward students and intervene and refer against ANY digs and disses Model positive statements toward students and intervene and refer against ANY digs and disses Talk to students whose grades drop, seem to be more withdrawn, or isolated Talk to students whose grades drop, seem to be more withdrawn, or isolated

No Hate Zone – Approved Message As you can see, this classroom and eery classroom in this school now has a No Hate Zone sign. All of ___________ High School is a No Hate Zone. What that means is that there is zero tolerance for hate motivated behavior. Think about it this way: at this school and in this class, there is no harassment, discrimination, bullying, teasing, tormenting, or taunting. You may think tha tyour teasing or taunts are just in fun but they are prohibited at ________ High School. This applies in EVERY classroom and EVERY place on this campus. As you can see, this classroom and eery classroom in this school now has a No Hate Zone sign. All of ___________ High School is a No Hate Zone. What that means is that there is zero tolerance for hate motivated behavior. Think about it this way: at this school and in this class, there is no harassment, discrimination, bullying, teasing, tormenting, or taunting. You may think tha tyour teasing or taunts are just in fun but they are prohibited at ________ High School. This applies in EVERY classroom and EVERY place on this campus. Students – if you see one of your peers violating this policy, be a frien. Tell your friend, “Hey, that not cool”. Stand up with the other guy or girl. Everyone should be able to come to school without being a victim of hate. If you see such behavior in this class, stand up and speak out against it. If you are a victim of such behavior, know that you have a support system with me and every teacher and staff member here. We intend to stop any such behavior in this school. Trust us. Tell us. We WILL help. Students – if you see one of your peers violating this policy, be a frien. Tell your friend, “Hey, that not cool”. Stand up with the other guy or girl. Everyone should be able to come to school without being a victim of hate. If you see such behavior in this class, stand up and speak out against it. If you are a victim of such behavior, know that you have a support system with me and every teacher and staff member here. We intend to stop any such behavior in this school. Trust us. Tell us. We WILL help.

Can We Count on You?