MANHATTAN — Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched a hotline Tuesday for New Yorkers to report any bias-motivated incidents and he's calling on schools to hold trainings to combat intolerance in response to an uptick in reports of harassment following Donald Trump's presidential win.
Cuomo said the toll-free hotline — 1-888-392-3644 — will help the state protect New Yorkers and allow victims to file a complaint with the Division of Human Rights, which enforces anti-discrimination laws.
He also planned to send a letter to State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, requesting the State Education Department immediately require schools to hold trainings for staff and students to safeguard again discrimination and bias.
These trainings, according to the governor’s office, are expected to reinforce anti-discrimination provisions included within the state Human Rights Law and Dignity for All Students Act, which was implemented by the state in 2012 to address cyber-bullying and bias-related bullying targeting race, religion, gender or weight, for example.
The governor also announced multi-agency investigations into alleged hate crimes across New York, including a reported incident of a swastika and the work “Trump” written outside a dorm at SUNY Geneseo.
“We will continue to work with our local partners to investigate all incidents of reported bias, and ensure that New Yorkers feel safe and protected,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Any acts of discrimination or intimidation will be met with the full force of the law.”
Reporting incidents under the Dignity Act, however, has been woefully inadequate in New York City schools, many have said.
An audit last year from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found the DOE was not reporting hundreds of incidents as required under state law, and a report from Attorney General Eric Schneiderman also cited the problem of under-reporting. More recently, the city’s Public Advocate Letitia James demanded greater transparency from city schools on tracking such incidents.
Officials from the New York State Education Department said they were working on guidance for school districts expected to be sent out soon.
"Schools must remain safe havens where students are free to learn without fear of discrimination, harassment or intimidation," said NYSED spokeswoman Emily DeSantis. "We encourage school administrators to engage with the entire school community and to keep an open dialogue that promotes a positive and safe school climate.
"As such," she continued, "schools should hold gatherings for staff and students to help prevent such incidents from happening and to inform them of what to do if they witness or experience such acts. We must all work together to keep students safe in schools."
