Harassment
While we strongly believe that most college residential advisors (RA’s), staff, faculty and administrators will swiftly act when informed of a student in distress, we have dealt with colleges that simply fail to respond to anti-gay harassment and violence that occur on their college’s campus. Therefore, we encourage all students to report the harassment not only to their college, but to local community organizations and the Iowa Pride Network. If anti-gay violence, harassment, discrimination or bias occurs, follow these actions:

1. Report it! Immediately go to someone in charge and report the incident(s) as soon as possible. If it happens in the dorms, contact your Residential Advisor (RA), in the classroom, your Teaching Assistant (TA) or professor, etc.

2. Document the steps you are taking including dates, times, and names of RA’s, TA’s and professors or staff who you had met with and what was discussed and what they did (or didn’t do) to help you.

3. If you feel that action is not being taken or your complaint is not being taken seriously, request for the college’s Ombudsperson’s Office and Office of Equal Opportunity/Diversity Office to take action (college). And, if your college doesn’t have sexual orientation or gender identity on their harassment forms, simply write it in. Make copies of this document or simply fill out two and keep one for yourself. Send copies of your letter to the college president, counseling offices (if involved), local human rights commission and the Iowa Pride Network (515-276-6396).

4. Never be bullied into silence. You have the right to a quality education, free from anti-LGBT verbal and physical abuse. Legally and ethically, teachers and administrators must do whatever is necessary to stop harassment against all students, including those that are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or those that are perceived to be. When students are safe, teachers can teach and students can learn.

Incident Report Form
As way for students to fight for their rights, document abuse and empower others who may be getting victimized, the Iowa Pride Network has developed an incident report form. These forms also help to educate professors, staff and university administrator as to the kind of environment you and your peers face everyday.

Reporting Hate Crimes
If you are the victim of a Hate Crime, or helping a victim, you should follow ALL of the following steps: (If one of these agencies is unable to help you, continue following the recommended procedures.)

1. Call local law enforcement immediately!
A quick response is necessary. The first officer to arrive should look for motives to determine whether a hate crime occurred.
2. Preserve all physical evidence.
Save items involved and any damaged property; take photographs; be able to describe perpetrators and witnesses; write accurate account of incident; and keep a log of continuing events.
3. Call Federal Bureau of Investigation, nearest local office, or 402-493-8688 Omaha Field Office. The FBI should be notified if there is use of force or threatened use of force related to Fair Housing rights.
4. Call local Human Rights Agency if available. Check City Hall or local telephone directory.
5. Call Iowa Civil Rights Commission, toll free in Iowa 1-800-457-4416 or 515-281-4121. If Hate Crimes occur in areas of housing, employment, credit, public accommodations or education they may also be discriminatory acts under Iowa Code §216. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of incident.
6. Call US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Discrimination Hotline, 1-800-669-9777, TDD 1-800-927-9275. If Hate Crimes occur in area of housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or handicap victims may be able to file appropriate complaint under Federal law Title VIII. Ask about prompt judicial action for injunction.
7. Call US Department of Justice, Washington DC, Criminal Section 202-514-3204, or Housing and Civil Enforcement Section 202-514-4713.
8. Call Iowa Department of Public Safety, 515-281-5138 to report Hate Crime violations.
9. Call Iowa Attorney General's Office, 515-281-5044. Ask about Iowa programs for victim's assistance.