Information About Washington's Anti-Bullying Bill

In recognition of the impact that bullying and harassment has on children, the Washington State Legislature passed the Safe Schools/Bullying Act as a way to encourage school districts across the state to create proactive policies and measures to protect children.

Bullying, intimidation and harassment, if unchecked, can have dangerous and even deadly consequences. The Seattle and King County Department of Public Health recognize bullying and harassment as a "major health problem which is both widespread and potentially a serious threat to the health and well-being of children and youth in King County." (Public Health Data Watch, 2002). According to their surveys of kids:

• Youths who are harassed at school are almost three times as likely to carry a weapon to school.
• Students who are harassed are more likely to report being part of a gang.
• Harassed students were much more likely to report engaging in self-endangering or harmful behaviors, including a dramatic increase in heavy drug use; they are also twice as likely to consider and/or attempt suicide.