The Sikh Coalition believes that all children should enjoy a safe and nurturing environment at school. Unfortunately, weaknesses in state and federal law allow public schools to ignore the plight of Sikh American children who suffer bias-based bullying and harassment.

Did You Know?

• According to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, a federal agency, rates of bullying against Sikh children “range from roughly half to over three-quarters.”
• A 2010 Sikh Coalition survey revealed that 69% of turbaned Sikh students in the Bay Area of San Francisco have suffered bullying and harassment because of their religion and that 30% of them had been hit or involuntarily touched because of their turbans.
• A 2007 Sikh Coalition survey revealed that 62% of turbaned Sikh students in the Queens borough of New York City experienced bullying, and that 42% of them had been hit or involuntarily touched because of their turbans.

Campaigns

End Bullying of Sikh Children in NY

For several years, Sikh Coalition has led grassroots campaigns to protect all children in New York City from bias-based bullying and harassment. In 2009, our work resulted in the passage of the first anti-bullying regulation in New York City. Learn More » 

To Learn More About NYC's Chancellor's Regulation Act Click Here »

 

 

Federal Legislation – Safe Schools Improvement Act

The Sikh Coalition strongly supports the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a proposed federal law requiring schools to collect data on bullying and harassment.
Sign a Petition »

 

 

Publications

• Bias-based Harassment in New York City Public Schools: A Report Card on the Department of Education's Implementation of Chancellor's Regulation A-832, by the Sikh Coalition, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, and Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (2009)
• Making Our Voices Heard: A Civil Rights Agenda for New York City Sikhs (2008)
• Hatred in the Hallways: A Preliminary Report on Bias Against Sikh Students in New York City's Public Schools,by the Sikh Coalition (2007)
• Bay Area Civil Rights Report
• Bullying in New York City Schools: Educators Speak Out