Because bullying and harassment has been a serious problem in Oregon schools, the Legislature in 2001 mandated that each school district adopt a program and policy to ensure a safe environment for students by January 2004.

House Bill 3403 encouraged districts to meet with parents, guardians, school employees, volunteers, students, administrators and community representatives to develop the policy, which should clearly define harassment, intimidation or bullying and list consequences and remedial action for anyone who commits such acts. A procedure for prompt investigation and how the district will respond is to be included in the policy.

Some facts about bullying:

€ Bullying is one of the most underrated and serious problems in schools today.

€ Verbal bullying, benignly called teasing, is so common that even many adults consider it to be a natural part of growing up, yet this form of emotional abuse is a major contributor to school violence.

€ Bullying is most intense during the upper elementary and middle school years.

€ Most bullying occurs in or around school buildings.

€ Both targets and children who bully suffer significant emotional, behavioral and underachievement problems.

€ The National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Department of Justice estimate that 160,000 students miss school every day because they fear being bullied.

€ Boys are more likely to bully physically and girls are more likely to use taunts and spread rumors.

€ Fourteen percent of students experience severe reactions to bullying that may have lifelong emotional consequences.

€ Bullying, which includes verbal and physical abuse, social alienation and intimidation by peers, can be decreased by effective and consistent schoolwide bullying awareness and prevention programs.