This week is bullying prevention week. The MBF believes every child deserves to be safe from child victimization, including bullying. Bullying is preventable, but it takes everyone’s commitment to recognize and respond to it and consistent education and intervention to prevent it.

Did you know?  3 million students will be bullied in the United States this year. 1 in 4 students will be bullied, and 1 in 3 will be cyberbullied. Research shows that in over half of bullying situations, the bullying stops within 10 seconds when someone intervenes.

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength. It is a repeated behavior and can be physical, verbal, or relational. Bullying has been part of school, and even workplaces, for years. More recently, though, technology and social media have created a new venue for bullying that has expanded its reach. Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online and via cell phones.

Preventing and stopping bullying involves a commitment to creating a safe environment where children can thrive, socially and academically, without being afraid. Let’s all help prevent bullying.