The attorneys at Costello & Mains are determined to deter the increasingly alarming and destructive culture of sexual and cyber sexual harassment and bullying in New Jersey Schools. "Our culture sexualizes kids at ever younger ages," partner Deborah Mains says. "Add to this easy access to ever more sophisticated communication and imaging technology, and our society has a real problem."
Deborah says the firm is taking ground-breaking approaches under New Jersey's
anti-discrimination laws to deter the conduct, and to force school personnel and districts to both address the conduct before it takes place and after students and parents complain.
"We can't any longer abide this culture of 'it's just teasing,'” says Deborah. "Teasing in the age of doctored pictures, the 'flaming' of social networking sites, instant video exposure of private conduct and
cyber-bullying isn't 'teasing.' It's a disaster waiting to happen. It's a disaster which is happening."
"Even when a student isn't gay," says partner Kevin Costello, "just intimating that he or she might be is enough to trigger intervention of the laws. It's not ok to harass someone just because they're different, or perceived to be. Everyone has the right to be who they are, to express who they are, and be judged on their character, not their surface qualities. Schools must teach that. Schools must live that culture."
Deborah says the firm is committed to addressing sexual, sexual orientation, racial and religious harassment and
cyber bullying in schools, using New Jersey law to make schools once more places where it's safe to learn, and safe to be different.
The employment law attorneys at Costello & Mains, P.C. are dedicated to protecting the rights of New Jersey workers and families. If you suspect your employment or civil rights have been violated, visit http://www.costellomains.com/ today for a free legal evaluation of your claim. We protect everyone from Wage and Hour abuse, Workplace Retaliation, Whistleblower Retaliation and Discrimination or Harassment in Employment, Places of Public Accommodation and in Schools on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, transgendered status, ethnicity, military service, parental status, national origin, disability, and handicap.
About Costello & Mains, P.C.
Kevin Costello and Deborah Mains have been fighting for the workers of New Jersey for nearly 35 years between them, having counseled and represented unions, workers and their families for their entire careers. They can fight your employment rights, harassment, retaliation, discrimination or wrongful discharge claim in Court. If you have questions about employment rights in New Jersey, visit http://www.costellomains.com/.
