HomeMy Public PortalAboutBullying Prevention MonthRecognizing October 2016 asBullying Prevention MonthRecognizing October 2016 asBullying Prevention MonthRecognizing October 2016 asBullying Prevention Month
Mayor
Mayor Pro-Tem Councilmember
Councilmember Councilmember
Attest:
City Clerk
Whereas, bullying behaviors are recognized as dangerous and harmful acts that victimize the targeted child and bystanders. Bullying is a pattern of deliberate, negative, hurtful, aggressive acts that works to shift the balance of physical, emotional, or social power; and
Whereas, bullying may take many forms, such as physical, verbal, and relational or social. Physical bullying and verbal bullying are usually considered to be a direct form, while relational bullying refers to an indirect form of bullying, such as social exclusion and spreading rumors; and
Whereas, as computers and cell phones are rapidly becoming popular for adolescents, cyberbullying, or electronic bullying, is emerging as a new form of bullying. Cyberbullying can be defined as a form of aggression that occurs through personal computers or cell phones; and
Whereas, school bullying has been identified as a problematic behavior among adolescents, affecting school achievement, prosocial skills, and psychological well-being for both victims and perpetrators; and
Whereas, children and youth who are bullied are more likely than other children to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, experience headaches, stomachaches, tiredness, and poor eating, be absent from school, dislike school, and have poorer school performance, and think about suicide or try to commit suicide; and
Whereas, bullying is a cyclical problem and will not end without intervention. Two-thirds of students who are targets become bullies themselves; and
Whereas, when collaboration occurs, the impact is tremendous. In schools where there are bullying prevention programs, bullying is reduced by 50 percent; and
Whereas, the most effective model is a comprehensive program using a combination of interventions schoolwide, at the classroom level, and at the individual level to create a social environment characterized by positive adult involvement, firm limits for unacceptable behavior, consistent use of sanctions for rule violations, and recognition that adults are the authorities; and
Whereas, this proclamation is effective only when we each, individually, have the courage and determination to act in ways that reflect our commitment to these principles, especially in the face of embarrassment, inconvenience, and offense.
Now, Therefore, the Mayor and City Council of Carson, California, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2016 as Bullying Prevention Month, encourage our citizens to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities to make our communities safer for all children and adolescents.
Dated: This 18th day of October 2016