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Bias Incident Response

BIR EN

BIR SP

What is a Bias Incident?

A bias incident is any hostile expression that may be motivated by another person’s race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. A hate crime, known as a bias crime under Oregon law, is any crime where the perpetrator’s motivation is based on bias. Both bias incidents and crimes can be verbal, physical, or visual, and can target someone in a protected class, a family member, or even someone incorrectly perceived to be in a protected class.

Examples: 

  • Name calling; using a racial, ethnic, or other slur to identify someone; or using degrading language.
  • Creating racist or derogatory graffiti or images/drawings. Imitating someone with a disability, or imitating someone’s cultural norm or practice.
  • Assaulting, injuring, or touching someone in an offensive manner because of perceived protected class.

Why is it Important to Report Bias?

Reporting bias incidents that target students, administrators, faculty, or staff will inform GAPS district authority and provide support, intervention, and education to those involved. The Bias Incident Report form is designed to collect testimonies and data to provide relevant professional development opportunities to improve GAPS district culture and school communities. This form is a place where affected students and families can document issues they encounter in district learning spaces, properties, programs and events.

 

Bias Incident Report Form (English and Spanish)

What Happens After I Report?

Once the Bias Incident Report form has been submitted, the feedback provided will circle back to building or department leads for further follow up. Although this is not an investigation unit, this form is a tool for recognizing needs in the GAPS community.

Resources and Contact Information:

GAPS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Department 541-967-4501
Oregon Department of Justice Bias Response Hotline 1-844-924-2427
Albany Police Department 541-917-7680

Policy ACB – All Students Belong (readopted on June 28, 2021)
Policy ACB-AR – Bias Complaint Procedure (readopted on June 28, 2021)

Other GAPS EDI district policies are linked on the EDI landing page.