Bullying Facts

Did you know?

• Some 6 out of 10 American teenagers witness bullying in school once a day.
• Bullying affects nearly 1 in 3 American school children in grades 6 through 10. Furthermore, 83 percent of girls and 79 percent of boys report experiencing harassment.
• Students who are targets of repeated bullying behavior experience extreme fear and stress:
• Fear of going to school
• Fear of using the bathroom
• Fear of the bus ride to and from school
• Physical symptoms of illness
• Diminished ability to learn
• Bullying can escalate into more serious behavior. Boys identified as bullies in grades 6 through 9 had one criminal conviction by age 24. Forty percent of those identified had three or more arrests by age 30. Bullies are at even greater risk of suicide than their targets. Bullies often grow up to perpetuate family violence.

source: National Education Association

 

In a recent survey of 4th, 7th, and 10th grade students conducted in my school district (Wake County, NC), students were asked to respond with either "Strongly Agree", "Agree", "Disagree", or "Strongly Disagree" to the following statement: "Bullying is a problem at my school." 

The results were:

• 4th Grade (9,029 participants) - 14% Strongly Agree, 30% Agree, 38% Disagree, & 19% Strongly Disagree
• 7th Grade (8,362 participants) - 14% Strongly Agree, 38% Agree, 40% Disagree, & 8% Strongly Disagree
• 10th Grade (4,619 participants) - 8% Strongly Agree, 27% Agree, 55% Disagree, & 10% Strongly Disagree

source: WCPSS Data & Accountability