Other Bullying FAQs

Basic information for topics, such as "What is it?" and "How many people are affected?" is available in the About Bullying section. Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that are specific to a certain topic are answered in this section.

Adults and children have the right not to be bullied or harassed by their peers, school staff, co-workers, or other people.1

State and local lawmakers have taken steps to prevent bullying. Visit the following page to learn more about your state's anti-bullying laws and policies: http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html.2

In addition to state laws, federal laws also prohibit bullying. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex—including harassment and bullying—in schools that receive federal funding. To learn more about Title IX, visit http://www.nwlc.org/resource/title-ix-protections-bullying-harassment-school-faqs-students External Web Site Policy.3

There are also laws to protect children from disability harassment, which includes bullying behavior toward persons with disabilities. Disability harassment violates the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under the Section 504 and Title II of IDEA, disability harassment in schools is defined as "intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student's participation in or receipt of benefits, services, or opportunities in the institution's program. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as nonverbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating."

To learn more about disability harassment, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/disabharassltr.html

Children or adolescents who are at higher risk of being bullied include4:

  • Those who are, or who are perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
  • Those with disabilities or other special needs
  • Certain racial, ethnic, or national origin groups
  • Certain religious or faith groups

Citations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Tourette syndrome: Bullying. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/bullying.html
  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Policies & laws. Retrieved August June 17, 2016, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html
  3. National Women's Law Center. (.). Title IX protections from bullying & harassment in school: FAQs for students. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.nwlc.org/resource/title-ix-protections-bullying-harassment-school-faqs-students External Web Site Policy
  4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Who is at risk? Considerations for specific groups. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/index.html
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