WHEREAS, in a recent survey by the National Center for Educational Statistics, 28 percent of students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being bullied at school during the preceding year; and

WHEREAS, the negative consequences of bullying are significant, in extreme cases leading to suicide by young victims; and

WHEREAS, several studies have questioned the fairness and effectiveness of inflexible zero tolerance policies; and

WHEREAS, in a 2011 IACP juvenile justice survey of law enforcement agencies around the United States, bullying was identified by 60 percent of the agencies as one of their top concerns; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the IACP recognizes that bullying in school and among school age children is a serious problem throughout the country and often has serious and lasting consequences. Therefore, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the IACP supports creative, evidence-based anti-bullying initiatives that will help eliminate bullying, educate students on the consequences of bullying and teach victims as well as perpetrators through positive anti-bullying intervention programs; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the IACP opposes a single-sanction approach to bullying, whether through expulsion or arrest, which has not proven effective in combating this complex problem; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, the IACP commits to working collaboratively with educators and non-profit organizations in developing positive, holistic anti-bullying initiatives.

Submitted by: Juvenile Justice Committee
JUV.003.a12