Experienced Legal Representation For Victims Of School Bullying

Bullying isn’t a rite of passage or an innocent childhood phenomenon. It’s a serious misbehavior with drastic consequences for the victim. It should never be tolerated in schools or elsewhere.

Bullying often results lasting emotional and psychological harm. It can derail victims’ grades, attendance and social life. Severe bullying can necessitate changing schools. As recently illustrated in several tragic cases, it can even lead victims to take their own lives.

At the West Chester Bellwoar Kelly, LLP, we firmly believe that no student should have to endure bullying, taunting, harassment or assault just to get an education. Our legal team is committed to standing up for the rights of bullying victims and their families.

What Is Considered Bullying?

Pennsylvania law defines school bullying as severe and persistent behavior that creates a threatening environment, makes it difficult for the victim to get an education or disrupts school operations.

Bullying can take many forms. It might be:

• Physical, including assault or even sexual assault
• Verbal, such as threats, insults, taunting or harassment
• Electronic, through means such as email, texting or social media

What Can You Do About It?

Pennsylvania law requires schools to adopt anti-bullying policies. However, those policies aren’t always robust enough to be effective. What’s more, schools don’t always handle reports of bullying as they should. Far too many victims of bullying don’t get taken seriously. Their complaints get minimized or brushed aside. Or, even worse, the mistreatment escalates when the bully finds out that victim has reported them.

If this sounds familiar, it may be time to take legal action. You might have a civil claim against the school for failing to properly handle the situation. If the bullying rose to the level of sexual assault or harassment, you may also have a claim under Title IX, a federal civil rights law.

You’re Not Alone — We’re Here For You

If you or your child has been a victim of bullying, you’re not alone. The CDC estimates that nearly one in five students nationwide has been targets of bullying.

You shouldn’t have to shoulder the consequences. However, holding schools liable for bullying can be tricky, especially in cases involving public schools. That’s why it’s so important to involve an attorney as soon as possible.

We’re here for you during this difficult time. You can count on our lawyers for prompt, sensitive and trustworthy advice regarding your options. We’re just a phone call or click away: call 610-314-7066 or reach out to us online any time, day or night, for a free consultation.