RedGage

Neuro - of the brain Diversity -the state or fact of being diverse;difference, unlikeness

I was asked today to write a guideline for students who are being bullied by a friend of mine who is a LGBT student advocate. Please see the guidelines below. I hope you find them helpful!

The following is a step-by-step Guide for you to follow if you are being bullied at school.

It is vital that you do two things right away:

1. Do not fight back-don’t do it. Use Gandhi and MLK as Guides. Fighting back keeps you “in the game” rather than a clear target. Let the bullies hang themselves without you making it worse for yourself. I understand this is very hard, but your Human Rights are being violated, just like African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement. Stay with nonviolence! Your Civil Rights are being violated too!
2. Keep a very detailed journal of every incident and your response to it-any witnesses, names, dates, times etc. The more detailed the better. You are much better off having too many details than too few.

What is very important here is that you stay out of the negative mess going on around you . You must have squeaky clean hands and do nothing that will paint you as anything other than innocent. In other words, if you are getting sent to the Principle every day for mouthing off to adults or doing things that are against school policy, or lying and making things up, you are making it harder for advocates to defend you! Keep your hands clean!

Here are the best steps to take. Document each step ; times, dates, etc. If need be, have everyone you talk to sign your journal so you can document the conversation.

1. From the very first incident, write down exactly what happened . Do not lie, embellish or leave anything out. If you are not a credible “victim”, then nobody will believe you
2. First go to your School Counselor and tell them exactly what happened-whether it was on school property or not. If the bullies go to school with you, then you have the right to talk to your School Counselor about it
3. Do exactly what the School Counselor tells you to do-exactly-no more and no less. Document your conversation with the Counselor and each step you took based on what they told you-dates, times, actions, etc. Be as detailed as possible.
4. Wait for things to happen. You must be patient and allow the school to do its job.
5. If, after doing absolutely every single thing you were told to do, exactly as you were told, with documentation that you did, and thing do not improve, go to your Principle, show them your journal, tell them the truth, show them that you did exactly as you were told and nothing changed. Follow the same steps again with your Principle. Do exactly as they tell you, document it; dates, times, actions, etc.
6. If, by this time you are not getting the help you need, and again you can prove that you did everything you were told to do, to the “letter of the law” get your parents involved. If this is not a safe thing, look up on the internet for a support group in your area, such as GLADD http://www.glaad.org/. They will connect you with someone who can help you.
7. If things go completely wrong and you are physically beaten up in any way with any requirement of a Hospital, contact GLAAD about finding a Civil Rights Lawyer

These steps are only as valid as your ability to tell the truth, stay out of trouble and not provoke anyone. If you document everything and keep your hands clean and do exactly what you are told by the school system, or then GLAAD, you will have the justice you deserve.

Advocate for yourself and remember that you are a volunteer, not a victim. You have the right to be who you are and Live in Safety!

Love and Light to All children!

Heather M. McCrae, MM MEd

Neurodiversity Coaching