September 10, 2012 By Darla Martin Tucker Name calling, hitting,
ostracizing, abusive text messages—when aggressively repeated
within a power imbalance, such behavior is called bullying and
can lead to disastrous consequences including debilitating low
self esteem and suicide. According to the U.S. Department of
Education bullying is on the rise throughout America’s schools.
The department reported that during the 2008-09 school year, 28
percent of youth ages 12-18, or roughly 7 million students said
they were bullied at school and about 1.5 million, or 6 percent
reported episodes of cyber bullying. The pervasive problem has
captured media coverage and involvement by national leadership.
In 2006, the Pacer Center, co-sponsored by the National
Education Association and other groups, established October as
National Bullying Prevention Month. In March 2011 the White
House held its first Conference on Bullying Prevention. In early
August this year, the North American Division of Seventh-day
Adventists Office of E