National Bullying Prevention Month marks 10th anniversary

In the on-going fight against bullying, the National Bullying Prevention Month is celebrating its tenth-year anniversary.

We’ve all experienced bullying in schools in one form or another. And no matter how much other people defend bullying and say it “toughens up kids,” it’s never a good thing.

Fortunately, the PACER Center– an organization dedicated to champion children with disabilities– set out to put a stop to this culture of bullying by creating this specific bullying prevention campaign.

Though PACER was set up to help children with disabilities, this campaign helps ALL kids even as it unites communities by educating and raising awareness on how to prevent bullying.

National Bullying Prevention Month: A decade of campaigning

Before, most people viewed bullying as “a childhood rite of passage” despite leaving effects in kids like loss of self-esteem, wanting to avoid school, anxiety, and even depression.

PACER thought differently, which was why they came up with a campaign like the National Bullying Prevention Month.

First created in 2006, PACER’s campaign started as a small event that later expanded to a worldwide effort supported by schools, major corporations, and even celebrities.

Currently, PACER and their campaign provides schools, parents, and students with educational support and resources on how to respond to bullying behavior.

“October is a time when educators, students, parents, and community members can unite to share their support for the important issue of bullying prevention,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

“Together, we can make our schools and communities safer,” Hertzog said.

2016 National Bullying Prevention Month events

For this year, PACER will mark the National Bullying Prevention Month by celebrating Unity Day on October 19.

For this day, students, teachers, and community members should wear orange as a way to send a united message of support. Likewise, schools and organizations will also be be hosting awareness events.

To mark the event, photos shared on social media on that day can use the hashtag #UnityDay2016.

People can also use their Facebook profile photo with the orange National Bullying Prevention Month frame to air their support.

Another event PACER is pushing for among its supporters is the “Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying,” a family-friendly run (or walk/roll).

This event will help drum up awareness and funds for bullying prevention moves by schools and communities.

Lastly, PACER has You’re Not Alone event toolkits that supporters can use in their classrooms and communities as a way to show support for those being bullied.