Bloggers Against Abuse

I'm a bit late for the Bloggers Against Abuse Campaign, but as many of you know, I have done some work in the anti-bullying field, so when BlogCatalog brought this campaign to my attention, I had to jump in. They are encouraging bloggers to talk about any kind of abuse. My pet peeve is bullying, and bullying is peer abuse. See www.peerabuse.info for more
information about peer abuse and how it can affect targets, bystanders, parents
and survivors.

We need more education for targets and younger students. One of my favorite efforts is The Virtues Project. Another is Roots of Empathy - an evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression and violence among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. Rachel Scott was one of the students killed at Columbine High School. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her 6 diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. Rachel's Challenge is a program that inspires students to bring positive change to your school atmosphere. The QuinnTessential Experience - Teen Basic - While not specifically an anti-bullying program, TQE is one of the most powerful confidence and empathy building programs available.

None of these programs will be that effective in a social atmosphere that tolerates peer abuse, or worse yet, encourages it as a sick sort of "rite of passage". It is time that bullies and their supporters were held accountable for the crimes they commit. It is time schools ended bullying before it starts. We need tougher laws and segregated schools where bullies can be separated from the rest of the school community until they learn to behave in a socially acceptable way.