New biennial report highlights the state of bullying in DC. When the DC Council passed, and the mayor later signed, the Youth Bullying Prevention Act into law in June 2012, the goal was to reduce incidents of bullying by creating a consistent definition and process for addressing bullying across all youth-serving agencies in the District. The Act aimed to create a sense of safety for students who were (or felt) targeted and to provide developmentally appropriate supports for students who were aggressive to change their behavior. The larger goal was to reduce the likelihood that bullying would take place. This third-edition report tracks the progress we’ve made in reaching these goals.
Schools and parents can provide critical supports for youth at risk of suicide. Youth suicide continues to be a concern, here in the District and everywhere. This piece from the Washington Post highlights factors that we know can support youth at risk.
Office of Human Rights bullying prevention supports. Many of your schools are already planning for next year (congratulations!), or maybe you’re just trying to align all the initiatives your schools are working on. I am always happy to respond to a specific question or link you to the right people or resources to get an answer—just ask! You can reach me at Suzanne.greenfield@dc.gov.
Remember that the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012 requires all schools in the District of Columbia to provide information on all reported and confirmed bullying incidents. We will request these data at the end of the 2018/2019 school year. To assist in this process, we have provided a spreadsheet tool (.xlsx) to help you compile the data requested. We will be providing further guidance on submitting your data to OHR later this spring.
Suzanne Greenfield
Director, Citywide Bullying Prevention Program
Pronouns – she, her, hers
District of Columbia Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street, N.W., Suite 570N
Washington, D.C. 20001
Main: 202.727.4559
Direct: 202.727.0455
Cell: 202.834.6376
Fax: 202.727.9589
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