112th Precinct Community Council

Support Safe Schools

Mar 24, 2004

Why is it that harassment and discrimination is illegal in the workplace and yet it is allowed to occur in our schools?

On Tuesday, October 7th, 2003 the New York City Council held a hearing on the
Dignity In All Schools Act. This bill is designed to protect anyone on school property from bias harassment. It focuses on ending bullying in schools and creating an environment where people can learn, work, and thrive in safety.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the negative effects of bullying do not disappear with time. "Individuals formerly bullied were found to have higher levels of depression and poorer self-esteem at the age of 23 despite the fact that, as adults, they were no more harassed or socially isolated than comparison adults." In a survey commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more eight to fifteen year olds picked teasing and bullying as " big problems" than those who picked drugs or alcohol, racism, AIDS, or pressure to have sex. More African Americans saw bullying as a big problem for people their age than those who identified racism as a big problem.

The next hearing of the Dignity In all Schools Act is expected to be held in February or March 2004.
It is important to have SAFE SCHOOLS IN NEW YORK CITY.

For further information please contact
Phyllis Steinberg, coalition co-chair, at (646) 279-2642.