Harassing Behavior Targeting Ethnic Student Org and Others (03/29/2023)
What Happened
Between March 18-30, 2023, the Stanford Vietnamese Student Association (SVSA) received multiple threatening and racially-charged hateful comments posted on its Instagram account from an unknown individual. These included threats of violence directed at SVSA, including a comment stating anyone with a Vietnamese last name would die. On April 6, a suspect (a non-affiliate, Vietnamese male in his mid-twenties) was found on campus. When contacted by DPS, he was cooperative and was not in possession of any weapons. The person admitted to posting the hateful and violent comments on SVSA and several other Stanford social media accounts. This person is currently back on the East Coast with his family.
Harassment and targeting of individuals because of their identity is antithetical to Stanford’s values and is unacceptable.
What Is Being Done
Updated as of 04/20/2023
A PIH Report was filed by the student organization.
The individual was issued a stay away order from the Department of Public Safety banning him from campus.
The Asian American Activities Center (A3C) serves as Stanford’s primary resource for Asian and Asian American students and community development. The staff are aware of the incident and can serve as a support system. They posted a message to the community on April 19.
A3 hosted a Community Processing Space on Thursday, April 20 from 5:30-6:30pm in the A3C ballroom for the APIA community. This processing space was led by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) psychologists and CST.
Community spaces were also held by SVSA members in early April.
What to Do
- If you believe this person has returned to campus, please report this to DPS immediately. The person identifies as a Vietnamese male and is 6"1, thin build, black hair, brown eyes, clean shaven.
- If you feel you are the recipient of online harassment, please contact DPS at 650.329.2413.
- Students needing assistance are invited to reach out to these mental health resources and faculty/staff can reach out to the Faculty Staff Help Center.
- Self-care equals community care. If you want to learn more about anti-Asian hate and how you can address it, visit the Stanford Against Hate website.
- If you experience bias or discrimination, please file a Protected Identity Harm report.