Students

You see it.

You see it in the hallways, in classes, and after school: people getting called names or put down because of who they are, what they wear or who their friends are.  You see the reactions: some laugh it off, some walk away with their head down, some withdraw, some get angry and fight back.  You’re watching it, and you’re not always sure what to do, but you know it’s not right for someone to come to school every day and face this kind of hurt and harassment.

You can change it.

Students listen to other students.  You have influence with your friends.  You can say, “Cut it out.  Leave her alone.  He doesn’t deserve that.”  You can support the person being targeted.  You can talk to your friends about the impact of name-calling and harassment.

Need some help?

The Center for Preventing Hate provides workshops for students to help you build the skills and confidence to interrupt situations of harassment before they have a chance to get worse.  Students from Maine to Oregon to Northern Ireland have participated in the Center’s workshops and pledged to make their schools safer for everyone.  You have the power to completely change how your peers experience school.  Be a leader!