The statistics are startling. One in three American schoolchildren in grades six through 10 are affected by bullying. Eighty-three percent of girls and 79 percent of boys report experiencing harassment. Students who are targets of repeated bullying behavior experience extreme fear and stress, which can be expressed as: fear of going to school, fear of using a public bathroom, fear of the bus ride to and from school, physical symptoms of illness and diminished ability to learn.
“Schools should be safe havens for students – places where students can grow, learn, and realize their full potential, said National Education Association (NEA) President Dennis Van Roekel. “Unfortunately, Lee Hirsch’s, film ‘Bully’ has shown us that much more needs to be done to create safe and protected learning environments for all children. There’s no room for inappropriate behavior in our schools and it’s time we showed bullying the door.”