Kirk, Casey Introduce Bipartisan Anti-Bullying Bill

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Bob Casey (D-Penn.) introduced The Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require schools districts across the country to develop and implement locally driven anti-bullying policies that protect vulnerable children. A Department of Education study found that 1 in 3 children between the ages of 12 and 18 will be impacted by bullying.

"Every child deserves a safe environment, free of harassment, in which they can learn," Senator Kirk said. "This bipartisan bill with Senator Casey would ensure that our schools have the means to prevent bullying and harassment before it starts."

"Bullying is a challenge that impacts far too many children and families across the country," Senator Casey said. "With the advent of text-messaging, social media, and social networking, many children find they cannot escape the harassment when they go home at night. It follows them from the moment they wake until the moment they go to sleep. This legislation will ensure that schools districts across the country take proactive steps to combat bullying and protect children."

Bullying and harassment in schools is widespread and affects millions of students every year. The Safe Schools Improvement Act is designed to help schools address this problem by ensuring they have prevention programs in place that would better prepare teachers and officials to combat bullying before it begins.

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