Bullying - By the Numbers

On March 5th All American Martial Arts will hold its "Bullying Stops Here" seminar.  This issue continues to face students, parents, and school officials across the United States and here in Oklahoma.  Here are some statistics relating to bullying both nationwide and in our state.

 From http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/:

- Nearly 50% of students are bullied at least once during elementary or
  middle school. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
- Nearly 1/3 of all students ages 12 - 18 reported being bullied in 2007.
  (National Center for Education Statistics)
- "Pack" Bullying is more common in high school and lasts for a longer period
  of time than bullying by an individual student. (2009 Wesley Report)

From http://www.howtostopbulling.com/:

- 160,000 students miss school each day for fear of bullying.
- 282,000 students are attacked each year in secondary schools.
- 46% of males and 26% of females report being in a physical fight during
  school. (Bureau of Justice Report)

From http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/:

- 1/3 of Oklahoma students report being involved in incidents of bullying as
  either a victim, a bully, or as both (OK Dept. of Health)
- 12% of Oklahoma elementary and middle school students identified
  themselves as having bullied another student. (OK Dept. of Health)
- 60% of those identified as bullies in middle school had at least one criminal
  conviction by age 24.
- 71% of school shooters cited bullying as a motivating factor (U.S. Secret
  Service/Dept. of Education)

From the Oklahoma Department of Health Injury Update (2008):

- 69% of 7th graders, 54% of 5th graders, and 40% of 3rd graders reported
  that bullying occured daily or weekly in their school.
- Most common places for bullying to occur include: 1) playground (70%); 2)
  school bus (42%); 3) halls (36%); 4) bathrooms (28%); classrooms (23%).
- 20% of Oklahoma elementary and middle school students worried daily or
  often about bullying.
- Only 34% of Oklahoma elementary and middle school students reported
  helping a fellow student who was being bullied.

These statistics can be rather disturbing.  But they should also motivate you to help ensure that every child you know has the knowledge and skills to protect them from the growing menace of bullying.  The "Bullying Stops Here" seminar is the right opportunity at the right time.