(Annapolis, Maryland) Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has signed into law one of the nation's most sweeping laws against bullying, aimed at protecting all students, including those who are LGBT.
The new law requires state and county school boards to develop policies that ban bullying. It mandates counseling to offered to both the victim and the bully. And it extends not only to school property but also electronic devices, including cell phones, computers or pagers.
The law makes Maryland just the 11th state to protect students from bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and only the seventh to protect students on the basis of gender identity or expression.
"This is a historic day for Maryland students,” said Kevin Jennings, the Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
"Feeling safe in school is directly related to academic achievement and student success. This law is an important step in reducing bullying, improving school climate and making school better for all Maryland students.”
A GLSEN survey released in 2005 found that bullying and verbal harassment is a national problem across the country.
The National School Climate Survey found that three-quarters of students surveyed across America said that over the past year they heard derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or often at school, and nearly nine out of ten reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless - frequently or often.
Over a third of students said they experienced physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a quarter on the basis of their gender expression.
Nearly one-in-five students reported they had been physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation and over a tenth because of their gender expression.
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1 comment:
Great news, although terrible that so few states have passed these kinds of laws.
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