Impact of racial harassmenton children and parents

The impact of racial harassment on students is immense and often long term.
Some of the issues, which may arise immediately, are

· They have trouble learning
· They drop a class or drop out of school altogether
· They loose trust in school officials
· They become isolated
· They fear for their personal safety
· They loose self esteem

When students face harassment outside school this will also have an impact in school, and they may restrict their activities to avoid further being harassed, going so far as to give up sports and other extra curricular activities, changing their routes to school and even avoiding friends.

In the longer term the range of issues, which may arise, include

· Depression, anxiety, shock or denial
· Anger, fear, frustration or irritability
· Insecurity, embarrassment or feelings of betrayal
· Confusion, feeling or being powerless
· Shame, self-consciousness, low self esteem
· Guilt, self-blame and isolation
· Headaches
· Lethargy
· Dermatological reactions
· Weight fluctuations
· Sleep disturbances and nightmares
· Phobias, panic reactions
· Suicide
· Drop in academic performance
· Withdrawal from school
· Change in career goals