National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month webpage banner with two hands cupping a heart

Prince William County Public Schools recognizes October as

National Bullying Prevention Month

Building a positive and welcoming culture for all is a priority at PWCS. According to the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA):

"Bullying is a significant problem nationwide. It can cause school absenteeism, mental and physical stress, poor school performance, poor self-esteem, and in some cases, school violence. Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. Bullying can also happen online. Reports of cyberbullying among public school attending students are highest for middle school (33%), followed by high school (30%), combined schools (20%) and primary schools (5%). School board members, superintendents, teachers, and parents play a critical role in creating a climate where bullying is not tolerated. It has been proven when adults and children stand together, bullying ends."

Educators are encouraged to participate in activities and programs that educate students and families about ways to practice positive conflict resolution and acceptance of others.

Together Against Bullying - Pacer Center

Bullying in Virginia

The following statistics are from the Technical Report of the Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey, 2020 (PDF):

32% of students surveyed reported that bullying is a problem at their school, and 4% reported being bullied once or more per week at school this year.
35% of students surveyed reported that another student stole something from them.
22% of students surveyed reported being physically attacked, pushed, or hit by another student.
26% of students surveyed reported being threatened by another student.
29% of students told a teacher or another adult at school when they were bullied or harmed at school this year.

Another set of questions asked students about the prevalence of teasing and bullying in their school. Students reported observing that their peers get teased or put down about:

"Their sexual orientation" (40%)
"Their race or ethnicity" (32%)
"Their clothing or physical appearance" (61%)
"Sexual topics" (51%)

When students believe they have been a victim of bullying behavior or if parents believe their child is being bullied, the following should occur:

The student and/or parent/guardian shall review Regulation 733-1: Bullying of Students. The regulation outlines the entire process which follows the complaint.

Any student or parent/guardian may initiate a complaint by talking to an administrator or completing a complaint form (Attachment II) and returning this form to a school administrator. (Any staff member can also initiate a complaint on behalf of a student or parent/guardian who reports bullying by talking with an administrator and/or completing a complaint form.)

Assistance with the identification of bullying behaviors is provided in Attachment I, “Bullying Behaviors: Physical or Emotional.”

Visit the PWCS Bullying Prevention webpage for more information.