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Bullying and Harassment at School


Sexual Orientation as Reason for Bullying/Harassment, by Grade Level: 2008-2010 See Source and Notes
(Grade Level: All; Number of Times: All)

California Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.5% 5.3% 2.3% 3.9%
9th Grade 90.0% 4.0% 2.4% 3.6%
11th Grade 92.4% 2.9% 1.9% 2.9%
Non-Traditional 88.1% 4.9% 3.3% 3.7%
Alameda County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.5% 5.0% 2.7% 3.7%
9th Grade 89.5% 4.1% 2.5% 3.8%
11th Grade 91.9% 2.9% 2.2% 3.0%
Non-Traditional 87.4% 4.0% 4.8% 3.9%
Alpine County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
9th Grade N/A N/A N/A N/A
11th Grade N/A N/A N/A N/A
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Amador County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.7% 5.2% 2.8% 5.2%
9th Grade 85.8% 5.1% 2.5% 6.6%
11th Grade 90.5% 4.0% 3.5% 2.0%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Butte County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.9% 6.4% 2.4% 4.3%
9th Grade 88.4% 4.5% 2.4% 4.7%
11th Grade 93.6% 2.9% 1.5% 2.0%
Non-Traditional 81.9% 10.2% 2.8% 5.0%
Calaveras County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 84.3% 7.4% 3.1% 5.2%
9th Grade 90.9% 4.4% 1.7% 3.0%
11th Grade 89.2% 2.8% 1.9% 6.1%
Non-Traditional 80.2% 9.2% 1.4% 9.2%
Colusa County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 95.0% 2.3% 1.2% 1.5%
9th Grade 91.3% 4.8% 1.5% 2.4%
11th Grade 93.9% 1.6% 1.7% 2.7%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Contra Costa County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.3% 5.4% 2.3% 4.0%
9th Grade 90.7% 3.8% 2.0% 3.5%
11th Grade 92.2% 2.8% 2.1% 2.8%
Non-Traditional 86.8% 4.4% 4.2% 4.5%
Del Norte County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.9% 5.5% 3.5% 4.0%
9th Grade 90.5% 3.2% 2.1% 4.2%
11th Grade 91.8% 3.4% 2.1% 2.7%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
El Dorado County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.9% 5.9% 2.6% 4.6%
9th Grade 90.0% 3.9% 2.6% 3.5%
11th Grade 92.3% 2.3% 2.4% 3.0%
Non-Traditional 87.0% 6.3% 2.4% 4.3%
Fresno County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.6% 5.3% 2.4% 3.7%
9th Grade 89.0% 4.8% 2.6% 3.6%
11th Grade 91.9% 3.0% 1.7% 3.3%
Non-Traditional 84.0% 6.1% 5.3% 4.7%
Glenn County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.4% 4.3% 2.2% 4.1%
9th Grade 93.9% 1.9% 0.4% 3.7%
11th Grade 90.1% 3.1% 2.5% 4.3%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Humboldt County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.1% 4.1% 3.2% 4.6%
9th Grade 87.5% 5.4% 2.9% 4.2%
11th Grade 90.7% 3.2% 1.8% 4.3%
Non-Traditional 87.0% 6.9% 1.2% 4.9%
Imperial County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.9% 4.5% 2.7% 2.9%
9th Grade 92.0% 3.8% 1.6% 2.7%
11th Grade 91.5% 3.5% 2.1% 3.0%
Non-Traditional 86.6% 5.5% 3.6% 4.3%
Inyo County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 83.0% 8.3% 0.9% 7.8%
9th Grade 85.7% 4.8% 3.1% 6.4%
11th Grade 87.9% 4.3% 1.9% 5.9%
Non-Traditional 97.4% 0.0% 2.6% 0.0%
Kern County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.1% 5.8% 2.2% 3.9%
9th Grade 89.6% 4.3% 2.2% 3.8%
11th Grade 92.0% 3.1% 2.0% 2.9%
Non-Traditional 87.3% 4.9% 4.6% 3.2%
Kings County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.4% 5.5% 3.0% 2.2%
9th Grade 90.8% 3.3% 2.5% 3.4%
11th Grade 92.4% 3.9% 0.9% 2.7%
Non-Traditional 90.9% 3.4% 3.4% 2.3%
Lake County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 83.0% 7.5% 3.9% 5.7%
9th Grade 87.3% 6.4% 2.5% 3.8%
11th Grade 91.4% 3.1% 2.9% 2.6%
Non-Traditional 76.5% 17.2% 3.2% 3.2%
Lassen County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 80.1% 8.7% 4.0% 7.2%
9th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
11th Grade LNE LNE LNE LNE
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Los Angeles County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.4% 4.9% 2.0% 3.6%
9th Grade 90.5% 3.8% 2.3% 3.3%
11th Grade 93.1% 2.7% 1.7% 2.5%
Non-Traditional 89.1% 4.7% 3.1% 3.1%
Madera County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.1% 4.8% 2.1% 3.9%
9th Grade 92.0% 2.5% 1.9% 3.6%
11th Grade 93.0% 2.6% 2.0% 2.3%
Non-Traditional 89.9% 3.7% 2.6% 3.7%
Marin County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.5% 5.2% 2.2% 4.1%
9th Grade 89.6% 4.3% 2.5% 3.7%
11th Grade 92.9% 2.6% 2.2% 2.3%
Non-Traditional 87.6% 5.1% 3.0% 4.3%
Mariposa County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 77.0% 8.9% 4.4% 9.6%
9th Grade 91.5% 3.4% 0.8% 4.2%
11th Grade 88.0% 1.7% 6.0% 4.3%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Mendocino County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 85.6% 8.0% 2.4% 3.9%
9th Grade 88.1% 4.0% 2.7% 5.2%
11th Grade 91.3% 3.9% 1.3% 3.5%
Non-Traditional 74.2% 8.1% 10.9% 6.7%
Merced County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.8% 5.8% 2.2% 3.2%
9th Grade 89.9% 3.9% 1.9% 4.3%
11th Grade 92.6% 2.9% 2.0% 2.5%
Non-Traditional 88.9% 6.0% 2.5% 2.6%
Modoc County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 91.7% 0.0% 4.2% 4.2%
9th Grade 88.4% 4.3% 4.3% 2.9%
11th Grade 89.1% 8.7% 2.2% 0.0%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE
Mono County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 92.5% 3.5% 3.1% 0.9%
9th Grade 95.0% 2.5% 0.0% 2.5%
11th Grade 87.9% 2.1% 3.4% 6.6%
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Monterey County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.4% 5.4% 2.4% 3.8%
9th Grade 91.0% 3.8% 2.4% 2.8%
11th Grade 92.7% 2.8% 2.1% 2.4%
Non-Traditional 85.4% 3.8% 3.5% 7.3%
Napa County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.8% 5.1% 2.4% 2.7%
9th Grade 89.6% 3.8% 2.6% 3.9%
11th Grade 92.0% 3.1% 2.1% 2.8%
Non-Traditional 87.7% 5.5% 4.1% 2.7%
Nevada County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 87.2% 6.1% 1.2% 5.5%
9th Grade 91.5% 2.7% 1.8% 4.0%
11th Grade 92.5% 2.2% 2.1% 3.2%
Non-Traditional 89.9% 3.7% 2.2% 4.1%
Orange County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.8% 5.1% 2.2% 3.9%
9th Grade 91.0% 3.5% 2.0% 3.5%
11th Grade 92.9% 2.4% 1.8% 2.8%
Non-Traditional 89.5% 4.9% 2.5% 3.1%
Placer County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 87.7% 5.4% 2.3% 4.7%
9th Grade 91.3% 3.4% 1.6% 3.7%
11th Grade 93.5% 2.5% 1.9% 2.1%
Non-Traditional 94.0% 2.3% 1.3% 2.3%
Plumas County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 84.0% 6.2% 2.5% 7.4%
9th Grade 87.0% 4.5% 2.6% 5.8%
11th Grade 92.4% 4.2% 0.8% 2.5%
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Riverside County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.0% 4.7% 2.3% 4.0%
9th Grade 90.1% 4.1% 2.4% 3.4%
11th Grade 91.9% 3.0% 1.9% 3.2%
Non-Traditional 89.0% 4.3% 2.5% 4.1%
Sacramento County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 87.5% 6.0% 2.6% 3.9%
9th Grade 88.5% 4.9% 2.9% 3.8%
11th Grade 91.1% 3.3% 2.1% 3.5%
Non-Traditional 87.5% 4.1% 3.7% 4.8%
San Benito County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 91.6% 3.9% 1.7% 2.8%
9th Grade 88.0% 4.7% 4.1% 3.3%
11th Grade 90.7% 3.2% 1.9% 4.2%
Non-Traditional 96.6% 1.7% 0.9% 0.9%
San Bernardino County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 87.5% 5.5% 2.6% 4.4%
9th Grade 89.7% 4.2% 2.5% 3.6%
11th Grade 91.4% 3.2% 2.2% 3.2%
Non-Traditional 88.5% 4.8% 2.5% 4.2%
San Diego County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.0% 5.2% 2.4% 4.4%
9th Grade 90.7% 3.7% 2.3% 3.3%
11th Grade 92.5% 2.7% 2.1% 2.7%
Non-Traditional 89.8% 5.2% 3.0% 2.1%
San Francisco County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.0% 5.3% 2.4% 4.3%
9th Grade 91.7% 2.8% 1.9% 3.6%
11th Grade 93.9% 3.0% 0.8% 2.3%
Non-Traditional 85.5% 9.1% 3.6% 1.8%
San Joaquin County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 87.3% 5.6% 2.9% 4.2%
9th Grade 87.7% 4.8% 3.0% 4.4%
11th Grade 91.3% 3.4% 2.0% 3.3%
Non-Traditional 86.1% 5.6% 4.4% 3.9%
San Luis Obispo County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.7% 5.4% 2.5% 3.4%
9th Grade 89.9% 4.4% 2.8% 2.9%
11th Grade 92.9% 3.1% 1.6% 2.4%
Non-Traditional 89.5% 3.2% 4.3% 3.0%
San Mateo County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.3% 5.3% 2.5% 3.9%
9th Grade 90.7% 4.0% 2.3% 3.0%
11th Grade 93.2% 2.6% 1.7% 2.5%
Non-Traditional 91.5% 3.7% 2.1% 2.7%
Santa Barbara County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.5% 5.3% 2.3% 2.9%
9th Grade 89.3% 4.8% 2.1% 3.9%
11th Grade 92.7% 3.1% 1.6% 2.6%
Non-Traditional 91.9% 3.2% 1.5% 3.3%
Santa Clara County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.0% 5.5% 2.2% 3.3%
9th Grade 90.0% 4.1% 2.5% 3.4%
11th Grade 92.8% 2.8% 1.7% 2.7%
Non-Traditional 88.0% 5.1% 3.4% 3.5%
Santa Cruz County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 89.7% 4.2% 2.2% 3.9%
9th Grade 90.3% 4.3% 2.1% 3.3%
11th Grade 93.9% 2.6% 1.6% 1.8%
Non-Traditional 85.4% 2.8% 4.5% 7.3%
Shasta County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 85.3% 8.0% 2.4% 4.4%
9th Grade 88.8% 4.3% 2.6% 4.3%
11th Grade 92.6% 2.8% 1.4% 3.2%
Non-Traditional 88.3% 3.9% 3.3% 4.5%
Sierra County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.2% 2.9% 0.0% 8.8%
9th Grade 87.1% 6.5% 6.5% 0.0%
11th Grade 91.7% 2.8% 0.0% 5.6%
Non-Traditional N/A N/A N/A N/A
Siskiyou County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 84.0% 6.4% 2.9% 6.7%
9th Grade 89.1% 5.4% 1.5% 3.9%
11th Grade 85.6% 3.5% 3.6% 7.3%
Non-Traditional 79.2% 2.6% 6.3% 11.9%
Solano County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.8% 5.5% 2.9% 4.8%
9th Grade 89.5% 4.1% 2.3% 4.2%
11th Grade 90.0% 3.7% 2.1% 4.2%
Non-Traditional 85.7% 4.5% 5.9% 3.9%
Sonoma County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 90.3% 4.3% 1.7% 3.7%
9th Grade 89.7% 4.3% 2.3% 3.8%
11th Grade 92.1% 2.7% 1.8% 3.3%
Non-Traditional 90.8% 3.1% 1.5% 4.6%
Stanislaus County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.6% 6.3% 2.7% 4.3%
9th Grade 89.8% 3.9% 2.8% 3.6%
11th Grade 93.4% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2%
Non-Traditional 87.8% 4.8% 3.6% 3.8%
Sutter County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.2% 5.3% 2.7% 3.8%
9th Grade 85.7% 6.8% 2.8% 4.7%
11th Grade 93.0% 2.3% 1.9% 2.9%
Non-Traditional 91.9% 4.6% 3.5% 0.0%
Tehama County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 90.0% 3.2% 3.1% 3.7%
9th Grade 90.4% 3.8% 2.5% 3.3%
11th Grade 90.4% 4.1% 0.8% 4.7%
Non-Traditional 85.2% 7.4% 4.3% 3.1%
Trinity County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 78.6% 5.8% 9.8% 5.8%
9th Grade 89.8% 2.8% 1.9% 5.6%
11th Grade 92.5% 1.4% 3.9% 2.2%
Non-Traditional 86.4% 6.6% 0.0% 7.0%
Tulare County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.2% 5.1% 2.6% 4.2%
9th Grade 88.2% 4.8% 3.4% 3.6%
11th Grade 92.3% 3.4% 1.8% 2.6%
Non-Traditional 82.8% 7.7% 4.6% 4.9%
Tuolumne County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 83.7% 6.7% 4.0% 5.6%
9th Grade 83.8% 5.6% 3.8% 6.7%
11th Grade 90.0% 2.4% 3.6% 4.0%
Non-Traditional 76.3% 14.1% 7.2% 2.3%
Ventura County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.6% 5.4% 2.1% 3.9%
9th Grade 90.6% 3.6% 1.9% 3.8%
11th Grade 92.7% 2.7% 2.0% 2.6%
Non-Traditional 88.3% 4.7% 3.8% 3.2%
Yolo County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 88.7% 4.7% 2.4% 4.1%
9th Grade 88.8% 4.0% 2.0% 5.2%
11th Grade 92.0% 3.2% 2.3% 2.6%
Non-Traditional 85.9% 9.1% 4.5% 0.4%
Yuba County Percent
Grade Level 0 Times 1 Time 2-3 Times 4 or More Times
7th Grade 86.8% 5.1% 3.6% 4.5%
9th Grade 87.5% 6.6% 3.5% 2.4%
11th Grade 90.5% 2.5% 3.2% 3.8%
Non-Traditional LNE LNE LNE LNE

Definition: Percentage of students in grades 7, 9, 11, and non-traditional students reporting the number of times in the past 12 months they have been bullied at school because of their sexual orientation. The grade levels included in school district-level data depend on the grades offered in each school district; for example, high school districts do not include 7th grade data. "Non-Traditional" students are those enrolled in Community Day Schools or Continuation Education. According to EdSource, nearly 10% of public school students in California are enrolled in these programs.

Data Source: California Department of Education, California Healthy Kids Survey (WestEd). http://www.wested.org/chks

Footnote: The 2008-2010 time period reflects data from school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. N/A indicates that the survey was not administered in that period or that data are not available for that group. LNE indicates that for a specific answer there were fewer than 20 respondents.

Learn More About this Topic

Measures of Bullying and Harassment at School on Kidsdata.org

On kidsdata.org, measures of harassment and bullying come from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) through a partnership with WestEd, which developed and administers the CHKS, and the California Department of Education. Indicators include: student reports of having been bullied on school property in the past year for any reason or for any bias-related reason (i.e., on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or a disability). In addition, kidsdata.org offers data on student reports of being bullied or harassed based on their disability, gender, race or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or any other non-specified reason, each as separate indicators. These data are available by grade level (7th, 9th, 11th, and non-traditional students), gender, race/ethnicity, and level of connectedness to school. School connectedness is a summary measure that includes the following elements: being treated fairly, feeling close to people, feeling happy, feeling part of school, and feeling safe at school.

Why This Topic Is Important

Bullying and harassment can have both short and long term harmful effects on children and youth (1, 2). In addition to the risk of physical injury, research shows that victims of bullying are at higher risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts than those not involved in or exposed to bullying (1). They also are more likely to experience physical health problems and difficulties with academic performance and school engagement (3). Any young person can be bullied, but certain groups may be particularly susceptible. For instance, according to a 2009 national survey of middle and high school students, 9 out of 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender youth reported experiencing some form of harassment at school the year before (4).

It is important to note that any involvement in bullying, either as a victim, witness, and/or as a bully, is related to negative outcomes (1, 2). In fact, youth who bully others also have increased rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts than those not involved in bullying behavior (1, 2). Bullies also are more likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs, engage in other risky behavior (e.g., early sexual activity), abuse others in intimate relationships, and engage in criminal activity as adults than non-bullies (3). Youth who witness frequent bullying, perhaps because of their social environment, also are at increased risk for alcohol and drug use, depression, or anxiety (3). Further, the fear of being bullied or harassed can cause extreme anxiety and disrupt a child’s ability to excel in school and life (3).

For more information on bullying and harassment at school see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.

Sources for this narrative:

  1. Klomek, A. B., et al. (2007). Bullying, depression, and suicidality in adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(1), 40-49.
  2. Vanderbilt, D., & Augustyn, M. (2010). The effects of bullying. Paediatrics and Child Health, 20(7), 315–320.
  3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Stopbullying.gov. (nd). Effects of bullying. http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/effects/index.html
  4. Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Diaz, E. M., & Bartkiewicz, M. J. (2010). The 2009 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in our nation’s schools. New York, NY: Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/2624.html?state=research&type=research

    Policy Implications

    Bullying and harassment at school have taken on new forms in recent years with the advent of digital technologies (1), and the issue has come under closer scrutiny by schools and policymakers (2). While some whole-school, systemic interventions (focusing on bullies, victims, and bystanders) have shown positive results, the majority of curriculum-based, anti-bullying programs have not been proven effective (3). Many schools have adopted “zero tolerance” discipline policies to address misbehavior, which actually may result in students feeling less safe than students at schools with more moderate discipline policies; the “zero tolerance” approaches also may deter reporting of misbehavior (4, 5). Although any student could be a victim, students who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, or who are perceived to be so, are at particularly high risk of being bullied or harassed (6).

    According to research and subject experts, policy options that could improve school safety and prevent bullying and harassment include:

    • Supporting well-implemented, age-specific, whole-school approaches to bullying prevention that involve multiple systems and methods, the entire school community, and long-term involvement by staff (3, 5)
    • Instituting discipline policies that respond effectively to aggressors, victims, and bystanders, while avoiding unintended consequences of “zero tolerance” policies (4, 5)
    • Crafting anti-bullying policies that increase the likelihood that victims will report bullying, rather than those that may inadvertently create a school culture that deters it (5, 7)
    • Implementing a multi-pronged strategy of staff training, student support, information sharing, and public statements of policy to reduce harassment of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students (6)

    For more policy ideas and information, see the federal government’s StopBullying.gov, the California Department of Education, and the writings and presentations of Dan Olweus and Barbara Coloroso. Also see Policy Implications on kidsdata.org under School Connectedness, Pupil Support Services Personnel, and Truancy, Suspensions & Expulsions.

    Sources for this narrative:

    1. Hertz, et al. (2008). Electronic media and youth violence: A CDC issue brief for educators and caregivers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/EA-brief-a.pdf 
    2. New York Times Topics: Bullies. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/b/bullies/index.html
    3. Vreeman, et al. (2007). A systematic review of school-based interventions to prevent bullying. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 161(1), 78-88. http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/161/1/78
    4. McNeeley, et al. (2002). Promoting school connectedness: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Journal of School Health, 72(4), 138-146. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12029810 
    5. Sampson, R. (2009). Bullying in schools. U.S. Department of Justice. http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e07063414-guide.pdf
    6. O’Shaughnessy, et al. (2004). Safe place to learn: Consequences of harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender non-conformity and steps for making schools safer. California Safe Schools Coalition and 4-H Center for Youth Development. http://www.casafeschools.org/SafePlacetoLearnLow.pdf
    7. Petrosino, et al. (2010). What characteristics of bullying, bullying victims, and schools are associated with increased reporting of bullying to school officials? Regional Educational Laboratory for WestEd. http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2010092.pdf

    How Children Are Faring

    According to 2008-10 data, 42% of 7th graders, 35% of 9th graders, and 28% of 11th graders in California report being bullied or harassed at school at least once in the past year for any reason. The percentages of 7th grade girls and boys who reported being bullied at least once because of their race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or disability has increased slightly since 2004-06, though the patterns are not as clear for 9th and 11th graders.

    When youth are bullied or harassed at school, the most common specific reason cited is because of their race or national origin, with 19% of 7th graders, 17% of 9th graders, and 14% of 11th graders in 2008-10 reporting at least one bullying incident in the past year for this reason. Among African American/Black students, 25% said they had been bullied due to their race at least once in the past year, followed by 24% of Asian American and 23% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. Other reasons cited include sexual orientation (8-12% of students in grades 7, 9, and 11 citing one or more incidents at school in the past 12 months), gender (7-11%), religion (9-10%), disability (4-6%), and “any other reason” (15-27%).

    Seventh- and ninth-graders in California reported more bullying or harassment than 11th graders and non-traditional students (those enrolled in Community Day Schools or continuation programs) in 2008-10. Students who report feeling less connected to their schools more often report being bullied or harassed.

    Research and Links

    Websites with Related Information

    Key Reports

    County/Regional Reports