Adriana Kuch, a 14-year-old student, passed away 48 hours after a video of her being viciously attacked in a hallway at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, NJ, was circulated on social media. Her father, Michael Kuch, expressed his disappointment with the school for not filing a police report or removing the viral video, which caused his daughter to be ridiculed and teased. School superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides suggested last week that Adriana killed herself due to past substance abuse and due to the breakdown of her parents' marriage.
This sparked outrage and Parlapanides resigned, but it was too little, too late.
Bullying in schools is a significant issue in the United States, affecting both students and teachers. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, around 20-30% of students in the US report being bullied regularly.
Bullying can take various forms, including physical bullying (hitting, pushing), verbal bullying (name-calling, teasing), and relational bullying (excluding others from a group, spreading rumors). The rise of technology and social media has also led to an increase in cyberbullying.
The effects of bullying can be severe and long-lasting, and can include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor academic performance. In some cases, bullying can even lead to suicide.
To combat bullying in schools, many states have implemented anti-bullying laws and policies. Schools are also encouraged to implement programs and initiatives that promote a positive school climate and encourage students to report incidents of bullying. Additionally, teachers and school staff can play an important role in identifying and addressing bullying behaviors.
Bullying is not a normal part of growing up and should not be tolerated.
According to various studies and surveys, the following are some bullying statistics in the United States:
- Approximately 20-30% of students in the US report being bullied regularly.
- About 70.6% of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools.
- Around 1 in 4 teachers see nothing wrong with bullying and therefore intervene in only 4% of bullying incidents.
- In a survey of students, approximately 15% admitted to bullying others.
- Cyberbullying has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with approximately 34% of students reporting that they have experienced some form of cyberbullying.
- Girls are more likely to experience relational bullying, such as being excluded from social groups or having rumors spread about them, while boys are more likely to experience physical bullying.
- Students who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a higher risk of being bullied, with approximately 3 in 5 LGBTQ+ students reporting being bullied because of their identity.
- Children with disabilities are also at a higher risk of being bullied, with rates of bullying among this population being 2 to 3 times higher than their non-disabled peers.
It's important to note that these statistics may vary depending on the source and the methods used to collect the data. Additionally, bullying is often underreported, so the actual numbers may be higher. Regardless, the numbers highlight the need for continued efforts to address and prevent bullying in schools.
School bullies can be punished if their actions are found to be in violation of the school's code of conduct or state laws. The specific consequences for bullying can vary depending on the circumstances and the severity of the behavior.
For example, in some cases, the school may take disciplinary action, such as suspension or expulsion. In more serious cases, the police may become involved and the bully could face criminal charges, such as assault or harassment.
In addition to formal consequences, schools may also implement restorative justice or counseling programs to help the bully understand the impact of their behavior and work to change it.
It's important to note that the goal of punishment should not be solely to punish the bully, but also to prevent future bullying behavior and provide support for the victim. Schools should have a comprehensive approach to addressing bullying that includes educating students about the negative effects of bullying, promoting positive behavior, and providing support for those who have been affected by bullying.
Parents and schools must step up and get involved. This must stop. Adriana Kuch’s death was unnecessary. She should be alive today.