Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination

The School District of Philadelphia strives to provide a safe and positive educational environment for all school community members. As such, the District does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination of students, in any form.

About Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination

What Constitutes Bullying?

An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

  • Substantially interfering with a student’s education
  • Creating a threatening school environment
  • Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Bullying is characterized by the following three (3) criteria:

  • It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing
  • It is carried out repeatedly over time
  • It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills)

What Constitutes Harassment?

Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, virtual, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s known or perceived race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex*, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification.

  1. Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
  2. A reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.

* For information about Title IX Sexual Harassment, visit the “Title IX Sexual Harassment” section below.

What Constitutes Discrimination?

To treat individuals differently or to harass or victimize based on one or more known or perceived protected classifications including race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification. A single incident of discrimination may implicate more than one protected class.

Important Terms

Bullying
An intentional electronic, written, verbal, nonverbal, psychological or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

  • Substantially interfering with a student’s education
  • Creating a threatening school environment
  • Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school

Bullying is characterized by the following three (3) criteria:

  • It is aggressive behavior or intentional harm doing
  • It is carried out repeatedly over time
  • It occurs between people where there is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength, mental capacity, popularity, or social skills)

Bullying Designee
The school-based staff person who receives reports of incidents of alleged bullying, conducts investigations, and determines whether an allegation is substantiated (or founded).

Complainant
Any individual who is alleged to be the victim of bullying, harassment, or discrimination.

Discrimination
To treat individuals differently or to harass or victimize based on one or more known or perceived protected classifications including race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification. A single incident of discrimination may implicate more than one protected class.

Formal Complaint
A document filed by a Complainant or signed by the applicable Title IX Coordinator alleging Title IX sexual harassment and requesting that the District investigate the allegation.

Harassment
Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, virtual, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s known or perceived race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, English language proficiency, veteran status, disability, or other protected classification.

  1. Such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
  2. A reasonable person in the complainant’s position would find that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.

Respondent
Any individual who is alleged to be the perpetrator of bullying, harassment or discrimination.

Supportive Measures
Interventions for Complainants, Respondents, and/or witnesses to address acts of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Possible interventions include, but are not limited to, the following actions:

  1. Parent/student conferences;
  2. Offer of one-to-one counseling with appropriate professional staff;
  3. Behavioral supports, such as Functional Behavioral Assessments, check in/check out, and Positive Behavior Support Plans;
  4. Increased adult supervision in hot spot areas and during transition times (e.g. admission and dismissal, classroom changes, lunch, recess);
  5. Social skills training, including role playing;
  6. Positive incentives and reinforcements for appropriate or improved behavior;
  7. Development of a safety plan for the Complainant; and
  8. Daily report.

Title IX Sexual Harassment
Conduct on the basis of sex, that satisfies one or more of the following:

  • A District employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or District service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, commonly referred to as quid pro quo sexual harassment;
  • Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a District education program or activity; or
  • Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking

CLICK HERE to Report bullying, harassment or discrimination

If your student attends a Charter school, email the Charter schools office at Charters@philasd.org

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination

Students who believe they have been subjected to any form of bullying, harassment, or discrimination are encouraged to report the conduct or have their parent/guardian report it on their behalf.

Any school employee who receives a complaint or witnesses, suspects, or is notified that a student may have been subject to conduct that constitutes bullying or harassment shall report the conduct using the online reporting form.

Note: Complaints for students attending a Charter School are managed by the Charter School Office. Do not complete the online form above; contact the Charter Schools Office by calling 215-400-4090 or by emailing charters@philasd.org.

Other Options for Reporting Bullying or Harassment

  • Calling the Bullying Hotline – 215-400-SAFE (7233)
  • Emailing the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator directly at antiharassment@philasd.org;
  • Reporting the incident to the building principal or designee, or to any other member of the school staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, bilingual counseling assistants (BCAs), coaches, and administrators or
  • Submitting a complaint via Safe2Say or 1-844-723-2729
    • Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. You can speak with someone there 24/7 via phone or live chat.

A bullying/harassment complaint may be made at any time, including during non-business hours.vComplaints may be submitted anonymously. All complaints will be taken seriously, regardless of whether they are made verbally or in writing.

After a Complaint is Submitted

You may be wondering what happens after you submit a complaint about bullying or harassment.
See below for a summary of next steps. You can also review the District’s complete Administrative Procedures for bullying, harassment, and discrimination here.

  • All complaints alleging bullying, harassment or discrimination will be assigned to an investigator. Depending on the issues raised in the complaint, the investigator could be the school’s Bullying Designee, a building administrator such as an Assistant Principal, or Climate Manger, or someone who does not work at your school, such as an investigator from the District’s Central Office.
  • The assigned investigator will conduct a formal investigation into the complaint and will address any safety concerns while the investigation is pending.
  • School-based investigations will be completed within 7 days.
  • Once the investigation concludes, the involved parties will be notified of the outcome of the investigation, in writing.
  • Any identified supportive measures or discipline for involved students will also be shared with their respective parents/guardians.

Note: If the complaint alleges sexual harassment, the District’s Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator will be notified and will determine if the alleged conduct requires a Title IX response. For additional information about Title IX, please see the Title IX sexual harassment section, below.

CLICK HERE to Report bullying, harassment or discrimination

If your student attends a Charter school, email the Charter schools office at Charters@philasd.org

Title IX Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex based discrimination and harassment in education programs.

Definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment and Examples

Definition of Title IX sexual harassment:
Conduct on the basis of sex*, that satisfies one or more of the following:

  • A District employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or District service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, commonly referred to as quid pro quo sexual harassment;
  • Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to a District education program or activity; or
  • Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking

*Conduct on the basis of sex includes conduct on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Examples of potential Sexual Harassment:

  • Gender based inequities in athletics
  • Discrimination based on Pregnant or Parenting status
  • Stalking or Dating Violence
  • Harassment based on known or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation
  • Bullying or harassment in the form of:
    • Comments, threats, gestures, or rumors of a sexual nature
    • Sharing/showing images/videos of a sexual nature
    • Non-consensual sex acts

Reporting Potential Title IX Violations

School District employees are required to report potential Title IX violations to the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator immediately by emailing Andrea Prince aprince@philasd.org or by emailing antiharassment@philasd.org. Students, parents/guardians and other school community members are encouraged to report potential violations as soon as possible by any of the ways listed below.

  1. Completing the online Bullying, Harassment/Discrimination Reporting form
  2. Calling the Bullying/Harassment hotline at 215-400-SAFE
  3. Submitting a complaint via Safe2Say
  4. Emailing the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator directly at antiharassment@philasd.org
    or
  5. Reporting the incident to the building principal or designee, or to any other member of the school staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, bilingual counseling assistants (BCAs), coaches, and administrators.

A report may be made at any time, including during non-business hours. Complaints will be treated the same, regardless of whether they are made verbally or in writing.

After a Complaint Alleging Sexual Harassment is Submitted

See below for a summary of next steps in the Title IX grievance process orto review the District’s complete Procedures for Title IX Complaints, click here.

  • The Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator will conduct an initial assessment, including an individualized safety and risk analysis, to determine if the allegations meet the definition and parameters for Title IX sexual harassment.
    • If the result of this initial assessment determines that the reported conduct does not meet the definition and parameters of Title IX sexual harassment the complaint will be redirected to the appropriate administrator to address the allegations.
    • If the result of the initial assessment determines that the allegations may constitute Title IX sexual harassment, the Complainant will be given the opportunity to file a Formal Complaint.
  • If a Formal Complaint is filed (either by the Complainant or by the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator) the Grievance Process for Formal Complaints outlined in Procedure B for Board Policy 248 will be followed.
  • If a Formal Complaint is not filed, the complaint will be directed to the appropriate office or administrator to address the allegations under other Board policies, if applicable.
  • Schools will work to address any misconduct or safety concerns regardless of the filing of a Formal Complaint.

Resources and Supports

Pregnant and Parenting Students:

Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT)
ELECT offers free case management and supportive services to expecting or already parenting teen mothers and fathers 21 years old and younger to help them as students achieve their highest potential personally and academically, so they become successful parents and citizens, by providing the support they need to stay in school through graduation.

ELECT Program Inquiry:
Phone 215-400-4250

ELECTinfo@philasd.org
For more information Click Here!

LGBTQ+, Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students

A Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club, which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and work to end homophobia and transphobia. GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice.

For more information Click Here!

Contact

Concerns or inquiries regarding sex discrimination, harassment, or retaliation can be made to the School District’s Title IX Coordinators or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Inquiries related to students:

Inquiries related to employees:

Inquiries related to athletics:

Bullying Data

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to maintaining schools that are spaces with inclusive climates and that support the social, emotional, and mental health of all students. Regardless of the outcome of an investigation, the school will support all students involved in the incident.

2022-2023 School Year

  • Bullying founded: 330
  • Bullying unfounded: 785
  • Harassment/discrimination founded: 406
  • Harassment/discrimination unfounded: 627
  • Total number of complaints: 1,297

2021-2022 School Year

  • Bullying founded: 268
  • Bullying unfounded: 407
  • Harassment/discrimination founded: 270
  • Harassment/discrimination unfounded: 299
  • Total number of complaints: 1,123

FAQs

Does the District investigate all complaints?

All complaints that allege bullying, harassment and discrimination will be investigated.

How long do bullying/harassment investigations take?

School-based investigations (investigations where someone at the school is assigned to investigate alleged student misconduct) will be completed within 7 school days. 

How will I know when the investigation is complete?

Bullying and harassment investigation outcomes will be shared with parents/guardians in writing, via a determination letter.

What if the determination is unfounded?

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, schools will work to address any misconduct or safety concerns.

What if I disagree with the determination?

Parents/Guardians have the right to appeal bullying and harassment determinations. The Appeals Form must be submitted to appealsoffice@philasd.org or in person to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at 440 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130.

The seven school days have passed and we haven’t received our determination. What do we do next?

Contact the building principal, or, contact the District’s Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator directly at antiharassment@philasd.org

What if I submitted a complaint of bullying or harassment and I am experiencing retaliation?

Retaliation is prohibited and should be reported to the Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator at antiharassment@philasd.org.

Contact Us

Thank you for visiting. If your question has not been answered here, please call the Bullying Hotline at 215-400-SAFE (7233) or email us at antiharassment@philasd.org for additional assistance.

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