Bullying is NOT okay

What is Bullying?

Bullying is an imbalance of power, resulting in great harm.  Bullying is NOT a normal part of growing up.  Bullying begins in elementary school, peaks in grades six through eight and persists into high school and can continue into adulthood.  Bullying manifests through physical, psychological, emotional or cyber terrorism.  Tactics can include spreading untrue rumors, taunting, making threats, name calling, social exclusion, extortion, intimidation, sexual aggression and physical violence.

Effects of Bullying

Researchers have estimated that 1.6 million children grades six through ten in the United States are bullied at least once a week.  Both the bully and the bullied are at a high risk of loneliness, lack of success in school, absenteeism and are more likely to become involved in gangs, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and sexual behaviors.  Many bullied youth commit suicide.  And, according to a report put out by the FBI, victims of bullying have become bullies themselves and are responsible for nearly all school shootings.

What Can be Done?

Bullying can be curbed when parents, teachers, administrators, school staff and local community members are committed to ongoing bullying prevention education.  In addition, laws must be passed that help protect the victims of bullying.  We must not be apathetic!  Parents, educate yourself and others as to how to help the victim and the bully.  Learn the warning signs.  Insist that your school have long term bully prevention programs and tools that are consistently being applied.  Inform your legislators, friends and community members about the dangers of bullying.  Bullying is a societal problem that we must seriously address.  Kids lives depend on it.

-Carla Kelley, Executive Director of the Human Rights Education Center of Utah