The Facts About Bullying

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (StopBullying.gov), bullying is “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” Bullying can include verbal harassment, physical harm, social exclusion, and cyber threats. Bullying behaviors are repeatable, targeted, and come with long-lasting consequences. Since 1999, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has assessed the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students in grades six to twelve in its National School Climate Survey. The 2013 eighth biennial report of the National School Climate Survey reached 7,898 students between the ages of 13 and 21 from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and found the following on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students:

Overall

of LGBTQ students have experienced cyberbullying.

of LGBTQ students did not report experiences of bullying because they doubted an intervention.

of LGBTQ students who reported bullying said school staff did nothing.

LGBTQ students who feel unsafe at school

LGBTQ students who were verbally harassed

LGBTQ students who were physically harassed

LGBTQ students who were physically assaulted

SOURCE: GLSEN's 2013 National School Climate Survey