Whenever you send your child to school, you hope the teachers and administrators are protecting them from negative experiences. However, according to data recently released by the FBI, schools are now the third most common place for hate crimes to occur. In fact, between 2018 and 2022, instances of hate crimes have more than doubled at elementary and secondary schools.  

If your child is on the receiving end of a hate crime and you think the school should have done more to protect them, or is failing to protect them now, you have every right to pursue a civil suit against them. Call Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online. Our competent and experienced student defense attorneys can help. 

What is a Hate Crime? 

Under federal law, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their race, color, or national origin in programs, or at activities, that receive federal funding. So, Title VI prohibits discrimination on these bases in school or at school-sponsored activities if the school receives federal funding. All public schools, and some private schools, receive federal financial assistance. 

A hate crime is essentially a crime that is inspired by a person's bias against another person's disability, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Thus, if your child is being harassed, assaulted, cyber-harassed, stalked, or on the receiving end of any other crime that is motivated by the attacker's bias against their race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity, while at school, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, that would qualify as a hate crime.  

School Disciplinary Action  

All schools in the United States are required to develop policies and procedures that address academic and behavioral misconduct issues that students, faculty, and staff may perform. These policies and procedures are meant to make the parties aware of what behavior is and isn't allowed on and off school grounds, as well as the corresponding disciplinary actions that may result if they are accused of violating the rules.  

Typically, schools will issue these policies in the student handbook. This allows both the parents and students to become familiar with what they consider unacceptable behavior and the punishments they could receive if they are found responsible for conducting themselves in such a way. While the specific policies may change from school to school, most schools will punish students, faculty, or staff who are caught committing hate committing hate crimes on campus.  

However, there are instances where the school will look the other way at behavior that would rise to the level of a hate crime in any other situation, letting the victimized student continue to get hurt. When schools do not address instances of hate crimes, they must be held accountable.  

How Lento Law Firm Can Help 

Your child has a right to an education that is free of discrimination, especially when they attend a school that receives federal funding of any sort. If they have suffered a hate crime and their school is failing to protect them, you have every right to bring a civil suit against the school. 

To learn more about your child's rights against hate crimes and how to protect them, call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or schedule a conference online today.