EBD Blog

Annie Johnson and Bob Gibson of the Charlottesville (VA, US; that’s EBDBlog’s neighborhood) Daily Progress reported on bullying in local schools. “It’s the same story across the country - the problem of students bullying their peers - and it doesn’t end with a curse word or slap in the face.”

Starting July 1, it will be even more of an issue. That’s when anti-bullying legislation championed by Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County, goes into effect. The new law requires schools to add policies and give notice to parents in the battle against bullying.
[snip]
When the anti-bullying laws take effect, all schools will have to start notifying the parents of students victimized by the more serious forms of harassment, such as physical assault and battery and direct threats on someone’s life, stalking or repeated threats, Bell said.

The reporters continue with inteviews of experts on bullying.

• John Boyd, a counselling psychologist, suggested that “Sometimes bullying is actually a symptom of an emotional disturbance.”
• Peter Sheras, a professor of clinical psychology, said that bullies often have (a) been bullied themselves, (b) had contact with legal officers, and (c) grown up with anxiety disorders.

Read the full story.