Bullying Resources

Know Your Rights: Bullying (English and Spanish)

In April 2024, we hosted a Know Your Rights session on bullying. Topics covered legal rights, advocacy options and strategies, and resources. The presentation focused on Chicago Public Schools, but much of the presentation is applicable to other Illinois families. Presented by Loyola University ChildLaw Clinic, SUFEO-Chicago, and Equip for Equality.

Video from Know Your Rights: Bullying, presented in English on 4/23/24.

Slides from Know Your Rights: Bullying, presented in English on 4/23/24.

Video from Know Your Rights: Bullying, presented in Spanish on 4/23/24.

Slides from Know Your Rights: Bullying, presented in Spanish on 4/23/24.

A Raise Your Hand Toolkit

Please note: Links and information below are from 2020.

We are in the process of revising this Bullying Toolkit for 2024.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Being Bullied?

When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time. 

Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.  – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.stopbullying.gov

The purpose of this Raise Your Hand Toolkit is to help families navigate the CPS Anti-Bullying Policy that is found in the CPS Student Rights & Responsibilities 2020-21 (SRR) booklet and the CPS Policy Manual - updated July 22, 2020. Please click on the links below for the complete Toolkit. 

The Toolkit also keeps the following CPS Student Bill of Rights in mind (found in the SRR, pages 1 - 6): 

 

“Every student has rights. A right is a freedom or protection that a person has. Rights define what is allowed of a person or owed to a person. Your rights are part of you regardless of your age, race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, citizenship/ immigration status, weight, sexual orientation, physical and/or emotional condition, disability, marital status, or political beliefs. Your rights belong to you and cannot be threatened or taken away. The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Student Bill of Rights (SBOR) is a living document that spells out the rights that every student has and that everyone, including students themselves, should respect.”


“Feel mentally and physically safe and secure in school, and to report any incident that makes them feel unsafe or insecure, including sexual assault, inappropriate remarks, grooming, groping, inappropriate behavior, verbal assault, bullying, or any other type of harassment.1, 2, 3 - Students also have the right to receive regular updates about actions taken in response to their report of not feeling safe. “ (page 5 of SRR)

If you are not a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) family, much of this Toolkit also applies to you.

According to the webpage, Illinois Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies from www.stopbullying.gov, Illinois school districts must adopt bullying prevention policies and these policies “must contain key policy and procedural elements.” Your district has a Student Code of Conduct (SCC), and your school may have its own policies that work within that. Check out your district’s website as well as your school’s. Physical SCCs and school handbooks can also be helpful - this is true for both CPS and non CPS schools. 

Remember you are not alone when your child is bullied. There are resources out there to help guide you. We have seen an uptick in parents and students speaking out about bullying at school. Please contact us directly at info@ilraiseyourhand.org if you have any questions about the information provided below or have tried-and-true resources that you think we should add. So do reach out with your resources, experiences, suggestions, and questions. 

Disclaimer: The Raise Your Hand Bullying Toolkit is made available to provide guidance and general information on responding to bullying and the CPS Student Code of Conduct (SCC), CPS Anti-Bullying Policy, Illinois Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies, and StopBullying.gov. The RYH Bullying Toolkit is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice and the suggestions below are not necessarily appropriate for every situation. At some point, you may need to seek psychological, psychiatric, or legal assistance. All of the documentation you’ve gathered as a result of following the guidance below should be shared with these outside professionals. Although RYH will try to keep this toolkit accurate and up-to-date, we will have no obligation to do so. RYH disclaims any liability for actions taken or not taken in reliance on the guidance and information contained in the toolkit.




 
 

SAFE, SECURE, AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

 

IMMEDIATE HELP

  • Bullying is Sexual in Nature: CPS Office of Student Protections and Title IX or 773-535-4400

  • There has been a crime or someone is at immediate risk of harm: 911

  • Someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, thinking of suicide: 

  • The CPS SRR now has a Referral Resources section (p. 62-64)

  • Stand Up For Each Other (SUFEO) Chicago is a group of law students that provides free information and services, under attorney supervision, to K-12 students in a variety of areas. We offer support and representation to students experiencing:

    • Inadequate special education services

    • Bullying or harassment

    • Suspension, expulsion, or other discipline

    • Barriers related to COVID-19 and remote learning

  • Email: sufeochicago@gmail.com
    Hotline: 773-800-0338
    Follow us! Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

©2020 Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education

If you are not a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) family, much of this Toolkit also applies to you. 

According to the webpage, Illinois Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies from www.stopbullying.gov, Illinois school districts must adopt bullying prevention policies and these policies “must contain key policy and procedural elements.” Your district has a Student Code of Conduct (SCC), and your school may have its own policies that work within that. Check out your district’s website as well as your school’s. Physical SCCs and school handbooks can also be helpful - this is true for both CPS and non-CPS schools. 

Remember you are not alone when your child is bullied. There are resources out there to help guide you. We have seen an uptick in parents and students speaking out about bullying at school. Please contact us directly at info@ilraiseyourhand.org if you have any questions about the information provided below or have tried-and-true resources that you think we should add. So do reach out with your resources, experiences, suggestions, and questions. 

IMMEDIATE HELP

Disclaimer: The Raise Your Hand Bullying Toolkit is made available to provide guidance and general information on responding to bullying and the CPS Student Code of Conduct (SCC), CPS Anti-Bullying Policy, Illinois Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies, and StopBullying.gov. The RYH Bullying Toolkit is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice and the suggestions below are not necessarily appropriate for every situation. At some point, you may need to seek psychological, psychiatric, or legal assistance. All of the documentation you’ve gathered as a result of following the guidance below should be shared with these outside professionals. Although RYH will try to keep this toolkit accurate and up-to-date, we will have no obligation to do so. RYH disclaims any liability for actions taken or not taken in reliance on the guidance and information contained in the toolkit.