GLSEN: Anti-Bullying Laws

Anti-bullying laws and policies should be put into action nationwide. Bullying is defined as a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people. It can implant a fear, which keeps the victim from attending school and riding the bus. GLSEN’s studies show that 9 out of 10 LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders) experienced bullying because of their sexual orientation in 2009. Nearly every state has their own anti-bullying, yet in states with enumerated anti-bullying laws, LGBT students experience less discrimination against their sexual orientation than those in states with common laws.

Bullying is something that happens everyday. Nobody benefits from it but it happens. Arne Duncan, who is in charge of the Department of Education, purposed policies in order to cure bullying and harassment. The policies are very detailed and gives example for each provision. Duncan listed key components of existing anti-bullying laws from 29 states. The laws were divided into 11 sections, which ranged from listing examples of bullying behavior to events in bullying incidents. The Department of Education has extended anti-bullying law beyond the classroom and playground and into and around school buses. Duncan says schools can have an enormous impact on preventing bullying but the question is can we eliminate bullying.

Arne Duncan on bullying: