October is National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month, a campaign established by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (NBPC) in 2006, kicks off on October 1. The month-long, nationwide campaign has a goal of preventing childhood bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion.

 “National Bullying Prevention Month is an important time to elevate the conversation of addressing and preventing bullying by calling attention to the issue, encouraging local action, offering information and education, and providing a platform to host school and community events. News media play a critical role in sharing bullying prevention information,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

“Community involvement is central to National Bullying Prevention month,” Hertzog said. “Bullying affects the whole community, and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers age-appropriate resources to help students, parents, educators, and community members learn about and take action to prevent bullying.”

Facts about bullying

Bullying is widespread. One in five students report they have been bullied. Chances are a young person you care about has been or is being bullied.

Bullying has long-term effects. When a young person is bullied, it impacts their health, education and safety when it occurs and well into the future. The negative effects of bullying can last a lifetime.

Bullying affects others. Those who witness bullying feel less safe, helpless to stop the behavior, and intimidated.

Bullying happens everywhere. Bullying can happen wherever youth come together: at school, online, in youth groups, athletic and academic competitions, and neighborhoods.

“Everyone has a role to play in bullying prevention,” Hertzog said. “National Bullying Prevention Month puts a spotlight on bullying behavior and what we can all do to end it.”

In addition to resources for National Bullying Prevention Month, PACER’s NBPC offers three interactive websites with information, resources and activities for children, teens, and adults.