Part of an ongoing series for WGA’s focus area: Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls
As summer draws to a close, children across the country head back to school — eager to reunite with friends and meet new teachers, and worried about fitting in and staying safe.
Beyond academics, school is where children learn vital life skills: how to manage time, navigate social norms, and interact respectfully. Unfortunately, it’s also where many encounter something far more troubling — bullying.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is the repeated, intentional infliction of physical harm or psychological distress. It creates a hostile or threatening environment that disrupts a child’s ability to learn and feel safe. This behavior can take many forms:
- Teasing or exclusion
- Threats and intimidation
- Stalking or physical aggression
- Harassment (sexual, racial, or religious)
- Humiliation — online or in person
- Theft or damage to personal property
These incidents often occur in unsupervised areas, including hallways, restrooms, buses, recess, or online, making them hard to detect. A child being bullied may exhibit warning signs that include school avoidance, sleep issues, frequent nurse visits, withdrawal, or signs of depression and self-harm.
How You Can Help
Start with Listening
If your child shares a bullying experience, thank them for trusting you. Avoid judgment or blame. Instead, ask what strategies they have already tried and affirm their efforts. Encourage them to continue speaking up to you and to other safe adults.
Be an Advocate
Contact your child’s teacher, principal, or school counselor. Under Florida law (The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act), every school must have an anti-bullying policy. Insist on a clear, protective safety plan and document all your conversations with the school in writing. If your child feels isolated, help them connect through positive outlets — clubs, hobbies, or supportive peer groups. A therapist may also provide guidance and healing.
Know Your Options
In severe cases, temporary removal from school may be necessary. Be mindful of Florida’s attendance laws, and consider the Hope Scholarship Program, which allows students who’ve experienced bullying or violence to transfer to another public school or apply for funding to attend an eligible private school.
Your Voice Matters
As women who care deeply about the next generation, we can be powerful advocates for safe, inclusive schools. Talk to the young people in your life. Share resources, including this article. Support local anti-bullying initiatives. Join us on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at our Staying Safe in a Digital World event. Cyberbullying is a real form of bullying, and one teens and women frequently experience.
Together, we can stand up for all students.