March 30, 2010 - BULLYING

Good Morning!

I heard some great news this morning! The state of Massachusetts just passed legislation making it mandatory for school officials and employees to notify the authorities/police of bullying and harassment of one student by other students. Unfortunately, this legislation is the result of the suicide of a 15 year old girl who had been bullied, harassed, threatened and terrorized in school and on-line. The girl's parents had spoken to the appropriate school administrators and they failed to put a stop to the harassment and did not notify the authorities when the abuse became physical. Nine students have been arrested on a variety of charges related to their victimization of this girl.

This legislation sets a great precedent and can be especially helpful to parents and loved ones of Aspies who tend to become the victims of bullying because of their differences and their inability to fit into mainstream social clicks. This is true in academic settings as well as the workplace.

Although Massachusetts is the only state to have this type of anti-bullying legislation, it can be cited as precedent when addressing school officials and work supervisors in all states - and while there may be no criminal recourse in other states, that's not to say that there's no civil recourse. There's nothing that a school district wants less than a lawsuit illuminating the fact that they're letting one of their students be terrorized by other students - especially in the face of the rash of suicides by students who have been victims of bullying and harassment.

I'm not saying that everyone should go out and sue a school district or employer if bullying is occurring, but I think that letting officials and supervisors know that this is certainly an option if appropriate action is not taken to stop the behavior can only work in our favor - and now there's precedent to cite, not only to officials, but possibly to other courts. I think the Massachusetts law gives us and if necessary, attorneys a great tool to use in support of victims of bullying.

Something to think about and another tool to tuck away in our arsenal!!

Remember - DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL!!