Stop School Violence Now! This week, Rep. Rick Glazier and Sen. Julia Boseman introduced the School Violence Prevention Act to help make all students safe from bullying and harassment, including kids who are targeted based on their perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Take Action: ask your legislators to sign on as co-sponsors of this important bill! Make a bigger impact by editing the letter below and sharing your personal take on this issue. Sample Letter for Campaign Subject: Sign on for safe schools Dear [ Decision Maker ] , This week, Rep. Rick Glazier and Sen. Julia Boseman introduced the School Violence Prevention Act. I hope you will sign on as a co-sponsor of this important bill. This bill is would give schools an important tool to stop violence in schools, from bullying and harassment to the fatal school shootings we've seen in other states. By requiring schools to address bullying and harassment, and giving a clear definition that ensures vulnerable students are protected, this bill would make a real difference. Some object to this bill because it includes actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity among the enumerated classes that protect those most often targeted. This attitude favors ideology over the safety of our children. Surely we can all agree that no student, gay or straight, deserves to be bullied. Please become a co-sponsor and an advocate for this bill. Thank you. Sincerely,

Campaign Launched: March 09, 2009

Background Information

Take action to stop bullying and harassment in our schools!

Here are some key reasons to support the School Violence Prevention Act.

• Students have a right to a sound, basic education, but too often bullying and harassment interfere with that right.
• Bullying that goes unaddressed also contributes to more severe violence, like school shootings. A study by the U.S. Secret Service indicates that a history of bullying was a factor in three-quarters of school shootings in recent years.
• Because they feel unsafe, victimized youth are pushed out of schools and into high-risk behavior. These youth are more likely to skip school, drop out, engage in substance abuse, or worse.
• Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Physical appearance, sexual orientation, and gender identity are the three most frequent reasons for bullying and harassment in schools, yet these types of bullying are often overlooked by school personnel.
• This bill protects ALL students from bullying, and its inclusion of enumerated categories will provide clear direction to teachers, administrators, and students about the scope of the law. Teachers want clear policies that will give them the backing they need to address problems in the classroom and on the playground.
• While harassment of any kind is unacceptable and should be dealt with quickly, firmly, and with appropriate consequences and remedies, certain groups of people have suffered systematic institutional prejudice, and discrimination and as a result are at a disproportionate risk of being the target of harassment and violence.
• Strong laws against bullying and harassment are a growing trend. Just this March, Iowa became the tenth state to adopt an anti-bullying law including sexual orientation.