It’s b Cheap Burberry Cashmere Scarf a ck to school time, and while most students will admit to being happy with their return, others are frightened and intimidated by the idea of entering school each day.
The reason? Bullying.
School bullying is far too common
- 22%– nearly one out of every four students– sometime during the school year.
- The majority of bullied children– 64 percent— the bullying.
- The most common by students for being bullied were looks (55%), body shape (37%) and race (16%).
What exactly is bullying?
Bullying has been around for a long time. But that doesn’t mean adults can take a ‘kids will be kids’ approach and lessen vigilance when it comes to addressing actions such as:
- Teasing
- Social exclusion
- Threats
- Intimidation
- Stalking
- Theft
- Public or private humiliation
- Destruction of property
- Physical violence
specifically mentions all of the above under the state’s legal definition of bullying. That means that Florida school kids who undertake those acts can be charged under Florida law and be convicted as bullies. Bullying is defined by the state as ‘systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students…’
Florida’s legal definition also includes ‘cyberbullying,’ with a legal definition of ‘bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication’ such as…
- Internet communications
- Instant messages
- FAX
The Florida statutes are even so advanced as to specifically prohibit online impersonation of another person while posting bullying content. \
Bullying is viewed as serious under the law, and may even constitute a
Why the fuss?
Besides simply wishing to avoid the psychological and sometimes physical pain caused by bullying, there is a wealth of evidence to show just how serious a matter it is for all involved:
- Bullied students for sleep difficulties, anxiety, and clinical depression
- Bullies themselves for school performance problems, substance abuse, and violent behavior later in life.
- High levels of are reported by students who bully others, in students who are bullied, and even by those who simply witness the bullying.
- A study by Yale University among bullied children to consider suicide.
Avoiding Bullying
Have a conversation with your children about bullying. They should know that not only is it not nice, but it can cause serious problems for everyone involved. And these problems in Florida can mean being arrested and convicted under state bullying laws.
Some tips about combatting the bullying epidemic include:
- Bullies love an audience, so if your student shouldn’t stay and witness acts of bullying. Leaving and getting help is a much better choice.
- in your group of friends. Not only may bullies pick on those students perceived as ‘loners,’ but loneliness in a bullied student can lead to harmful activities.
- . A physical confrontation is something that a student should never do; however speaking with the bully about their behavior may help the problem.
The above actions are all certainly better options than ignoring the problem and risking a student experiencing a level of pain that leads them to join the . September is back to school time. But it’s no coincidence that September is also month.
Your actions, combined with the anti-bullying laws, can make a difference in the lives of schoolchildren, and perhaps even save a life.
If you or a loved one has been injured by the actions of a bully, the attorneys at Thomas and Pearl want to speak to you.
$150 MILLION in verdicts and settlements
Thomas & Pearl attorneys have the skills and training, plus the financial resources necessary to conduct a thorough injury investigation.
Ask about the more than $150M (MILLION) dollars in recent and past jury verdicts and settlements we have gained for our clients.
We’ll evaluate your case situation with you, develop a strategy to win or successfully negotiate the highest amount of compensation for you.
Experienced legal help can make the difference between a successful resolution and losing.
And you pay nothing unless we get that successful resolution for you.
Contact Thomas & Pearl at any time.
Contact . Fighting for Floridians. Call toll free 24/7 at 877-990-HELP (4357), or visit