NYPD Crime Prevention Tip: Stop Bullying

Over 3.2 million students are the victim of bullying each year, and teens in grades 6 to 10 are the most likely to be involved in activities related to bullying.

Bullying victims are between 2 and 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-bullying victims. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among young people, and for every suicide there are at least 100 attempts. Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it.

We must work together to put a stop to bullying!

What are the signs?

• Refusing to go to school - it is estimated almost 160,000 students stay home from school each day because of a fear of bullying
• Change of appetite
• Depression
• Lack of Self-Confidence
• Avoiding specific situations

Almost 60 percent of children that are bullied say that they never told an adult when they were the victim of an attack. You must be alert for all of these signs and changes in behavior!

What can you do?

• Listen to your children, and take children's complaints of bullying seriously - it is not just "kids being kids"
• Watch for signs that your children may be bullying victims
• Tell the school or group immediately if you think your children are being bullied
• Work with other parents to ensure that the children in your neighborhood are supervised closely on their way to and from school

Our School Safety Division Community Outreach Unit offers presentations to Schools and Parent Groups about the dangers of bullying, as well as many other important topics—such as prescription drug abuse prevention. Please call them at 718-730-8550 for more information. You may also visit our website, www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org for more information.