Released on: August 24, 2008, 7:26 am

Press Release Author: Love Our Children USA

Industry: Education

Press Release Summary: NEW YORK, August 25, 20087 Love Our Children USA announced
today that bullying and teasing is at the top of kids' issues at schools, and with
school set to open in a few weeks, parents, teachers and school administrators
should take caution and sensitivity in handling these issues.

Press Release Body: Childhood should be a time filled with wonder and joy, but the
reality for many kids and teens is often much different. They\'re the victims of
bullying at school or on neighborhood playgrounds.

Kids who are intimidated, threatened, or harmed by bullies often experience low
self-esteem and depression, whereas those doing the bullying may go on to engage in
more serious antisocial behaviors. Some kids are so traumatized by being bullied,
that they contemplate suicide. Bullies often have been the victims of bullying or
other mistreatment themselves.

It has everyone worried. Not just the kids on its receiving end, but the parents,
teachers and others who may not understand how extreme bullying can get. Love Our
Children USA is working aggressively to prevent these issues and to help the kids
and teens affected by it.

Ross Ellis, Love Our Children USA Founder and Chief Executive Officer remembers only
too
well what it is like to be bullied. Today it's a regular occurrence in schools
starting as early as kindergarten. And many kids have committed suicide because the
taunting was so torturous.

Bullying can be so painful and clearly has played a role in school shootings across
the country. While boys are more physical, girls use weapons, exclusion, slander,
rumors and gossip.

And beware . cyberbullying is on the rise. This social online cruelty is used in
the forms of e-mail, cell phone; pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory
personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites, deliberate,
repeated, and hostile behavior, and is used by an individual or group -- intended to
harm others - especially amongst our youth.
While most kids use the Internet for friendly interactions, more and more kids are
using these communication tools to antagonize, terrorize and intimidate others.

Ellis said "parents must keep open communication with their children. Look for
signs. School administrators across the country have been sweeping this issue under
the rug for too long. Students should be educated about the harmful effects of
bullying. Every school should declare No Bullying Begins Today."

Ross Ellis suggests that schools set up a web site where kids can anonymously report
the person who is bullying them. That way victims can feel safe in making the report
and the school can deal with the bully.

Recent Statistics Show:
. 1 out of 4 kids is Bullied.
. 1 out of 5 kids admits to being a bully, or doing some \"Bullying.\"
. 8% of students miss 1 day of class per month for fear of Bullies.
. 43% fear harassment in the bathroom at school.
. 100,000 students carry a gun to school.
. 28% of youths who carry weapons have witnessed violence at home.
. A poll of teens ages 12-17 proved that they think violence increased at their
schools.
. 282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools each month.
. More youth violence occurs on school grounds as opposed to on the way to school.
. 80% of the time, an argument with a bully will end up in a physical fight.
. 1/3 of students surveyed said they heard another student threaten to kill someone.
. 1 out of 5 teens knows someone who brings a gun to school.
. 2 out of 3 say they know how to make a bomb, or know where to get the information
to do it.
. Almost half of all students say they know another student who\'s capable of murder.
. Playground statistics - Every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Adult intervention -4%
Peer intervention - 11%. No intervention - 85%.

Ellis said "helping your children cope with either being a bully or being a victim
often requires outside assistance, such as from your child\'s school or the
community. School is the most likely place for bullying to occur, so discuss your
concerns with your child\'s teachers and counselor and ask what they can do to help.
School personnel can be influential in helping a child modify his behavior. Take
advantage of any psychological counseling services that may be offered at your
child\'s school or in your community."

Bullying is a form of child abuse and bullies are very likely to grow up as an adult
who abuses children.

Love Our Children USA will launch its new National Bullying Prevention Awareness
campaign on October 5th which coincides with National Bullying Prevention Awareness
Week October 5th - October 11th. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has
proclaimed this time as Bullying Prevention Awareness Week.

More information about bullying and how to help your children and students can be
found at www.loveourchildrenusa.org


About Love Our Children USA

Love Our Children USA is the national nonprofit leader that honors, respects and
protects children. Its mission is to break the cycle of violence against children.
Love Our Children USA has become 'the go-to' prevention organization for all forms
of violence and neglect against children in the U.S. Working to eliminate behaviors
that keep children from reaching their potential, it redefines parenting and creates

kid success by promoting prevention strategies and positive changes in parenting and
family attitudes and behaviors through public education. Empowering and supporting
children, teens, parents and families through information, resources, advocacy, and
online youth mentoring. Its message is positive ... one of prevention, empowerment
and hope. Since 1999, Love Our Children USA has paved the way in the prevention of
violence and neglect against children . keeping children safe and strengthening
families.

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Web Site: http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org

Contact Details: Contact: Media Relations
Love Our Children USA
888.347.KIDS (5437) / 212.629.2099
media@loveourchildrenusa.org