By Keith Brown
With the new school year starting, violence and bullying in our schools have reached a critical level, impacting countless students nationwide. Recent statistics underscore the severity of this issue. According to a June 2014 report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, during the 2010-2011 school year, there were 31 school-associated violent deaths, including 25 homicides and six suicides. Moreover, a majority of schools report crimes to the police annually, with students aged 12-18 experiencing over 1 million nonfatal violent crimes in school settings. According to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Report 2022, while physical acts of bullying have decreased, cyberbullying has doubled since 2009-2010, posing a whole new set of challenges.
Tragically, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that almost 6% of students avoid school activities or certain places due to fear, depriving them of critical social and educational experiences. In addition, a quarter of schools reported daily bullying incidents, while 12.6% of students reported cyberbullying, and 8.9% reported physical altercations at school. These statistics underscore the gravity of the problem; students are not just suffering from bullying, but dying as a result.
Tragic cases illustrate the severe consequences of unchecked bullying. The passage of New York’s “Jacobe’s Law”, of which I am a co-sponsor, was drafted in response to the tragic suicide of 13-year-old Jacobe Taras in 2015. This law mandates parental notification when bullying occurs, but more must be done to combat this pervasive issue.
Dealing with root causes through proper training of school personnel could prevent future incidents, like counselors and psychiatrists. Effective intervention hinges on reporting, yet many bullied students are unable — or refuse — to confide their experiences with adults. This is why I have worked hard to establish Mentorship Programs in Northport-East Northport, Harborfields, and now Cold Spring Harbor, Half Hollow Hills and Commack.
Working with advocacy groups can alleviate the occurrence of bullying, too. Organizations like the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) offer vital resources and advocacy for students. Through education and increased awareness, LICAB promotes bully-free communities and provides therapeutic outlets for the youth. District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office is working alongside this organization to combat bullying in Suffolk County.
Bullying in schools is a pervasive problem demanding heightened awareness, training and comprehensive solutions. By addressing root causes, we can create safer, more nurturing school environments for our students.
Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) represents the 11th Assembly District.