Awareness of bullying in the United States is on the rise, but Massachusetts has not yet met the standards that have been set by several other countries and states. Canada and England have made bullying a wide-spread concern enacting national anti-bullying legislation directed towards schools. These countries require that all schools have an explicit anti-bullying policy incorporated in their school codes of conduct. Seventeen states in the U.S. currently have anti-bullying laws, but Massachusetts is not one of them.

In 2000, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety took steps to prevent bullying in schools by implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at pilot schools across the state. In order to effectively meet the needs of all children, it is imperative that Massachusetts state legislators recognize the importance of this initiative and adopt a bill aimed at preventing bullying in schools.

State Senator Guy Glodis, a representative of Worcester, has sponsored an anti-bullying bill which would bring Massachusetts up to pace with the other states and countries that have identified bullying as a serious concern. As of March 2004, the bill is before the Education Committee awaiting release.

Contact Senator Glodis to voice your support and to track the progress of this important bill.