This morning the Charlottesville Daily Progress has an editorial lauding the effects of school anti-bullying programs like our own Bully Nots.
Bullying is on the decline
A national study finds that physical bullying is declining, welcome evidence that programs instituted a few years ago to deter this danger to children are having an effect.
The Department of Justice study, conducted last year, found that reports of physical intimidation dropped from nearly 22 percent in 2003 to less than 15 percent in 2008. The percentage of incidents that rise to the level of outright assault also declined, from 45 percent to just over 38 percent.
It is the second recent study to verify such results.
Experts say that means anti-bullying programs are working.
Bullying became a serious national concern a few years ago when a spate of stories reported a growing numbers of cases of intimidation, and worse, among public school students. One incident from Fluvanna County prompted changes in Virginia law.
If students can be taught not to hurt others, emotionally or physically, they will develop important building blocks for future behavior, experts say. Conversely, bullying in school can herald more serious problems later on.
Continue reading: Bullying is on the decline | Charlottesville Daily Progress.
