DeKalb Schools Settle Harassment Complaint Based on Religion, National Origin

A settlement between federal authorities and the DeKalb County School District spurred by a Sikh student’s complaint of harassment will require the school system to annually train students and staff on avoiding racial stereotypes.

The United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice announced Tuesday that a settlement agreement was reached with the school system following an examination into the district’s ability to prevent and respond to harassment based on national origin and religion.

In May 2013, DeKalb County, the Department of Justice, and the United States Attorney’s Office reached a settlement agreement that resolved allegations a Sikh student was harassed because of religion and national origin.

According to a recent CBS News story, Sikhs have been the target of hate crimes nationally since the 9/11 terror attacks because they are mistaken for Muslims. Sikh men wear turbans and beards, and women cover their heads, as a sign of their religion.

In the past year, DeKalb Schools has worked with federal authorities to develop a plan for enhancing anti-harassment protections and increasing access to information for all parents and students.

The agreement requires, among other things, that DeKalb Schools develop and implement annual trainings on religious and national origin harassment for all students, staff who interact with students (including administrators, teachers, counselors, and bus drivers), and district-level administrators who interact with students or who are involved in addressing harassment or bullying in the district. The training will include topics related to post-9/11 backlash and harassment that perpetuates negative stereotypes against the Sikh, Muslim, Arab-American, and South Asian communities.

“Every child should be able to attend school without the fear of being taunted and physically assaulted based on his religion or national origin,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in a news release. “I am encouraged that DeKalb County School District has demonstrated a commitment to ensure that its schools are free of harassment.”