May 08, 2014

LAWT News Service

 

Carson City Councilman Mike Gipson joined the South Bay-based suicide prevention organization, Kevin’s Cause, and a host of community supporters on Saturday May 3, to announce an anti-bullying ordinance seeking criminal prosecution for those who bully school-age children. 

 

The announcement was made during an anti-bullying summit, “Together We Stand, Let’s Take a Hand and Stop Bullying,” hosted by Kevin’s Cause’s to stem the tide of bullying incidents that in some cases end in tragedy.

 

Stating that the punishment for bullying and cyberbullying is just not enough to deter those who regularly target school-age children, Gipson, joined by Mayor Jim Dear and members of the city’s Human Relations Commission, said bullying of any form must stop.

 

While bullying and cyberbullying are often underreported and become a significant safety problem for those who are bullied, and in some cases, those who bully, the acts have become a serious and widespread problem that generally occurs in cities and states nationwide. Federal data indicates that 28% of students in grades 6-12 are victims.

 

Suicide has been identified by the Center for Disease Control as the third leading cause of death in teenagers and victims of bullying and cyberbullying are statistically more likely to have suicide ideation and suicide attempts.

Category: Education