Why You Should Take Bullying Seriously

Bullying is a pattern of activity intended to cause harm or distress to others. Bullies tend to target students who are the most vulnerable.

The Facts on Bullying

The fear of being bullied may keep as many as 160,000 students out of school on any given day. (National Association of School Psychologists)

Fifty-five percent of 8- to 11-year olds and 68 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds say bullying is a big problem. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Nearly 30 percent of all youth aged 11 to 1 have been a victim or perpetrator of bullying. (Journal of the American Medical Association)

One in four children who bully will have a criminal record by the time they reach 30. (U.S. Department of Education)

Youth who bully others frequently behave badly in school. Bullies are also more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and get bad grades. (Journal of the American Medical Association)

Sixty percent of boys who were bullies in middle school had at least one criminal conviction by 24; 40 percent had three or more convictions. Bullies were four times as likely as their peers to have multiple convictions. (Olweus Bullying Prevention Group)

Boys more likely than girls to bully, but it is a problem for everybody. Girls are more likely to bully by excluding, while boys are more likely to engage in physical bullying. Both boys and girls engage in frequent verbal bullying. (Olweus Bullying Prevention Group)

(source: "Stop Bullying Now," a collaboration between the National Association of Broadcasters and the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a multi-year National Bullying Prevention Campaign-"Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!"-to address this critical problem. The campaign's goal is to actively engage 9-through 13-year-old youths-and those who shape their world-in a comprehensive, research-based effort to change the environment in which bullying occurs.

Everyone in the community - parents, teachers, school officials, students, and others - has a stake in putting a stop to bullying and a role to play in bullying prevention efforts. Visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov for more information.