Sometimes, bullying might be so dangerous and harmful that it could rise to the level of a criminal offence. Such actions could include:
The Right to Security of the Person:
Safety and Freedom from Violence, Bullying, and Harassment
Is bullying a crime?
Criminal harassment (stalking, repeated threats, or engaging in intimidating behaviour towards that causes the individual to feel unsafe);
Incitement of imminent violence against an identifiable group, including sexual or gender minorities.
If you experience or witness bullying or harassment, take notes!
Any student, whether a target or a bystander, can and should report incidents of homophobia or transphobia, when and where safe and appropriate, to a teacher, principal, or other trusted adult, as soon as possible. We can all try to make schools safer.
Keeping good notes can help, whether or not you report it to someone. Things to make note of are:
The incident and who was present;
When and where it happened;
Who you reported the incident to or told about it;
What action they said they would take and when they said they would follow up with you for an update or more information;
Whether they have followed up or responded.
While the interaction is happening, it might not be safe to take notes. Try to remember as many details as you can and to write them down immediately afterwards, in the order in which they happened. You can also take photos or videos, if safe to do so, though be aware of other students’ privacy in what you do with those records.
You should also take note of any subsequent acts of bullying or harassment that you witness or experience, including the dates and people involved. If the victim wants to bring a claim of bullying or harassment, or if there is a criminal investigation, having detailed notes will be very helpful.
If you think that your right to freedom from bullying, violence, and harassment has been violated, and you are considering what to do next, please see the section “What to Do if You Think Your Rights Have Been Violated” as well as the list of Resources at the end of this guide.
