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How widespread is violence in our schools?
- The U.S. Department of Education estimates that each year, three million thefts and violent crimes occur in or near schools. That's an average of 16,000 such incidents per school day. (Harvard School of Public Health)
- In a 1994 survey of 700 communities, 80% of respondents said that violence was a serious problem in classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds. (National School Safety Center)
- In a 1993 survey of 720 school districts nationwide, 82% reported an increase in violence in their school over the past five years. (Harvard School of Public Health)
- In a 1993 survey of students grades 6-12, 79% said that violence was caused by "stupid things like bumping into someone." Other causes of violence included: boyfriend-girlfriend disputes, outsiders, racism, and gangs. (National School Safety Center)
What's the risk of being bullied at school?
- Bullying begins in elementary school, peaks in middle school, and falls off in high school. It does not, however, disappear altogether. (The Facts About Bullying, 1997)
- 61.6% of students who are bullied are picked on because of their looks or speech. (U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2001)
- Of the students who are bullied, 55.6% report being hit, slapped, or pushed. (U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2001)
- In a 1994 survey, it was reported that 22% of all teenaged students had been in a fight in the past year. 34% of those fighting were boys while only 11% were girls. (Harvard School of Public Health)
How do students react to bullying?
- Up to 7% of eighth grade students stay home at least once a month because of bullies. (www.bullybeware.com)
- In a 1993 survey of students grades 6-12, 50% knew someone who switched schools to feel safer. (National School Safety Center)
- More than 43 percent of middle school and high school students avoid using school bathrooms for fear of being harassed or assaulted. (Mothering, May/June 2001)
- One in fifteen students said they avoided certain places at school because they feared being attacked. (Harvard School of Public Health)
- Only 25% of students report that teachers intervene in bullying situations, while 71% of teachers believe they always intervene. (www.bullybeware.com)
- When asked, students uniformly expressed the desire that teachers intervene rather than ignore teasing and bullying. (Maine Project Against Bullying)
- By age 24, 60% of identified bullies have a criminal conviction. (www.bullybeware.com)
Web Resources for Students
- Stop the Hate: Find out how other students have successfully stopped violent hate crimes in their communities. www.stopthehate.org
- Youth Crime Watch of America: Access to information about violence and crime prevention, bus safety, and conflict resolution. Learn how to start a chapter in your area. www.ywca.org
- No Bully: Information about what bullying is, how to tell if you are a bully and why people are bullied. www.police.govt.nz/service/yes/nobully/
- Kidscape: This United Kingdom website gives information about who gets bullied, what a victim can do and who a victim of bullying can turn to for help. www.kidscape.org.uk/kidscape
Web Resources for Parents and Teachers
- Indiana Youth Institute: Links to the Virginia Beale Ball Library, a great library in Indianapolis with excellent resource information on bullying, violence, and many other issues related to youth. www.iyi.org
- Mothers Against Teen Violence: Includes warning signs for violence and information on starting a local chapter of MATV. www.matvinc.org
- National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center: Information on youth violence, youth at risk, youth suicide, gangs, and firearm violence. Good source for statistics. www.safeyouth.org
- Stop the Hate: Dedicated to helping students, educators, police and the community to stop hate crimes and violence. Also, a good connection to other communities about activities in these areas. www.stopthehate.org
- ERIC-Educational Resource Information Center:
- Information for parents and teachers about many educational issues. www.eric.ed.gov
- Take Action Against Bullying: Information about bullying from recent articles. www.bullybeware.com
- Stop Bullying Now: Does not believe that bullying is a part of growing up. View letters from students. www.stopbullyingnow.com
- Bullying Online: Founded in 1999, and formerly called Bullying Online, Bullying UK is the world's leading website providing free help and practical advice on bullying to more than 1.2 million people a year. www.bullying.co.uk
- Kidscape: Gives information about what bullying is, signs of bullying, and what an adult can do to help a child. Gives insight for parents, teachers, and kids. www.kidscape.org.uk/kidscape
Information and statistics compiled by Krystin Washington, INROADS Intern, Summer 2001, for the Community Education and Child Advocacy Department, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana, 317-274-2964
[Keywords: bullying]
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