Bohemia Bullying Lawyer
Schools in the State of New York are supposed to keep children safe and take bullying and other disciplinary issues very seriously. Nonetheless, some children suffer physical and emotional harm at school because of bullying and other disciplinary problems. If your child has been involved in a bullying issue at school in any way, gaining an understanding of the pertinent laws, rules, and regulations can be helpful. In some instances, enlisting the help of a skilled Bohemia bullying lawyer may be called for. If retained, a dedicated personal injury attorney could represent both parents and students as they help manage and remedy this too-often-neglected issue.
Defining Bullying
Simply stated, bullying is intentional and persistent aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power or strength. This behavior can be physical, verbal, or take place through electronic communication, and typical examples include hitting, teasing, and social exclusion.
Bullying can have many negative effects on students. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has stated that kids who are bullied are more likely than others to experience:
- Depression, anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and other issues that may persist into adulthood
- Physical health problems
- Worsening academic performance in school and on standard tests
- Attendance problems and increased likelihood of dropping out
Students who are bullied may even later perpetrate bullying behavior or violently retaliate against those who have harassed them, continuing the cycle.
If your child has been the victim of bullying at school, it is important to make sure that the school follows its policies and keeps your child and their classmates safe. In particularly severe cases, getting the help of a dedicated Bohemia bullying lawyer may be a wise move if you feel that the school is not sufficiently addressing the problems affecting your child.
State Laws Regarding Bullying
New York’s “Dignity for All Students Act,” which went into effect in 2012, mandates anti-bullying actions throughout public schools in the state. This Act specifically prohibits harassment, bullying, intimidation, and discrimination in the state’s schools, including “cyberbullying.”
Furthermore, it requires school districts to implement policies for their schools that prohibit harassment based on the following categories:
- Race
- Color
- Weight
- National origin
- Ethnic group
- Religion or religious practice
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Gender or sex
Harassment is defined as including words or actions that either creates a hostile environment interfering with a student’s education or well-being or that cause or could reasonably expect to cause a student to fear for their safety.
Speak with a Bohemia Bullying Attorney
If a child is injured from bullying behavior because of a school’s failure to abide by pertinent policies or laws, their school may be civilly liable for the injuries. In certain situations, bullying behavior may also be a federal civil rights violation. However, these cases can be difficult to pursue and getting skilled legal guidance can be important to a litigant’s success.
If your child was injured at school because of bullying, getting advice from a skilled Bohemia bullying lawyer could help you understand your and your child’s rights. Call today to set up a consultation and get started on your case.
