What is bullying? What is harassment?
The definitions in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary are simple. Bullying is abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger or more powerful. Harassment is an unpleasant or hostile situation — especially when involving uninvited or unwelcome verbal or physical interaction.
But are those enough for schools?
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has released draft guidance for “Harassment in Educational Settings” under the state’s Human Relations Act.
The draft is seven pages long. It specifies many things, such as the fact the guidance “may not be cited as binding legal authority.” It is “meant to provide clarity to all Pennsylvanians” about how the commission “will evaluate harassment and bullying cases.”
It recognizes the “grave injury” of discrimination and acknowledges harassment and bullying “disrupt the educational environment” and have “a lasting negative impact on a child’s life.” It addresses best practices and when an educational provider is liable.
All of these are important. All of these need to be discussed and outlined. This is particularly critical as the commission prepares for a virtual public meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21.
“We are asking for input from educators, students, parents and advocates,” said Education Director Desireé Chang.
But, to get there, it is perhaps even more important to discuss what bullying and harassment are. Without a definition, it is easy for those educators, parents and advocates — and even the students themselves — to dismiss behavior.
If no one agrees bullying is happening, how do you stop it? If no one identifies harassment, harassment continues.
The commission knows this. Under a section about developing policies about bullying and harassment, it notes the importance.
“It is the recommendation of this Commission that these policies clearly describe what behavior constitutes harassment and bullying and should be re-evaluated on an annual basis to ensure the educational institution is accounting for the ways in which bullying and harassment is evolving in the school environment,” the draft guidance states.
But without the guidance clearly describing the behavior, school districts may struggle to do so.
