Online portal for students to report antisemitic incidents

(JNS) — Hillel International has teamed up with the Anti-Defamation League and the Secure Community Network to launch an online portal where college students can report anti-Semitic incidents on their campus and receive immediate support.

The creation of ReportCampusHate.org is in response to the growing threats of anti-Semitism on college campuses. Hillel International recorded 244 anti-Semitic incidents on college and university campuses last year, up from 181 the year before. It also comes after a recent survey found that 74 percent of college students reported experiencing an act of anti-Semitism, but that they did not report it. Some 40 percent of students polled indicated that they did not know how to report incidents of Jew-hatred at school.

According to ADL national director and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, working with partner agencies in this endeavor will promote a “collaborative response” to anti-Semitic incidents on campus, as well as “foster better tracking and reporting and tracking of anti-Semitic trends so we can all better understand and respond to this growing threat to our students.”

Once an incident is reported, it will be reviewed by trained security officials who will then work with law enforcement and campus officials as needed.

“When students are impacted by anti-Semitism, it can be confusing and isolating to garner appropriate law-enforcement attention and support,” said Michael Masters, national director and CEO of SCN, the security arm of the Jewish Federations of North America.

The new website “will be a safe way for students to report these incidents and activity SCN’s security infrastructure to assess the threat and prompt immediate attention.”

Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said it is “essential” that students have the tools and resources to address anti-Semitism on campus “so they can live and study in safe and welcoming environments.”

The site will not only empower students when needed, said Lehman but will also help Hillel “be better equipped to address anti-Semitism with campus administrators and improve the campus climate.”