BULLIES BEWARE!
Dr. Reed Predicts Bullying Law Will Pass, Says Parents, Students Can Take Action Now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 17, 2005
CONTACTS:
Marc Steczyk 317-232-6615
Scott Minier 317-232-6671

Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, predicts this year’s legislature will likely pass a new law targeting bullying but says there are things parents and students can do now to curb such behavior.

“Bullying may seem insignificant and is often dismissed as part of growing up,” Reed said. “But it’s actually an early form of aggressive, violent behavior.  One particular study has shown that, of students identified as bullies in junior high, 60 percent will have committed one crime by the age of 24 and 40 percent of those will have committed at least two.”

Reed also warns that bullies often cause serious problems that schools, families, and neighbors ignore. Teasing at bus stops, taking another child’s lunch money, insults and threats, kicking and shoving—it’s all fair game to the bully.

“Fears and anxieties about bullies can cause some children to avoid school, carry weapons for self-protection or worse—to injure or kill others or themselves,” Reed says. “Anyone can be a target of bullying, but they’re often singled out for psychological or physical traits—shy, sensitive, insecure or maybe small, having a physical challenge, or belonging to a different race or religious faith.”

Senate Bill 285, authored by Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Ft. Wayne) and part of Reed’s 2005 legislative agenda, requires schools to adopt rules prohibiting bullying and allows the Department of Education to train school personnel to better identify and deal with bullying situations before they escalate into more violence.  Governor Mitch Daniels supports the bill and is expected to sign it into law.

Wyss said research shows some bullies are outgoing and aggressive. They get their way by brute force or harassment. They reject rules and rebel to feel superior or secure. Other bullies are reserved and manipulative. They don’t want to be recognized as harassers or tormentors. They control through smooth talking and lying. This type of bully seeks power through cunning and deception.

As different as these two types may seem, all bullies have some characteristics in common. They:

• Are concerned with their own pleasure;
• Want power;
• Are willing to use and abuse other people to get what they want;
• Feel pain inside, perhaps because of their own shortcomings; and
• Find it difficult to see things from someone else’s perspective.

• Listen. Encourage students to talk about school, social events, other kids in class, walk or ride with them to and from school, so problems can be identified.
• Take complaints about bullying seriously. Probing a seemingly minor complaint may uncover more severe grievances. Youth are often afraid or ashamed to tell that they have been bullied, so listen to complaints.
• Watch for symptoms. Bully victims may become withdrawn, drop in grades, have torn clothes or need extra money or supplies.
• Tell school officials immediately. Alerted caregivers can more carefully monitor students’ actions and take steps to insure safety.
• Work with other parents. Ensure that neighborhood youth are supervised closely on their way to and from as well as after school.

For more information on SB 285, log onto www.doe.in.gov/legwatch/ or phone Reed’s legislative liaison office at 317-232-6671.

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