View a list of upcoming Bullying Prevention events.

Question?   What are the four types of bullying?  Verbal, Physical, Social & Cyberbullying

Since the inception of the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria in 2014, the City government agencies, City's public schools, community organizations, youth and senior citizen leaders and residents have worked together to increase the awareness of the negative effects of bullying and prevent bullying among Alexandria's youth and adults.

The Mayors Campaign to End Bullying is a national movement spearheaded by the National Conference of Mayor’s to improve the community and school climate and improve the quality of life for all. Alexandria (under former Mayor Euille) joined this effort in 2014.  Supported by former Mayor Silberberg, current Mayor Justin Wilson, past and present City Council members.  The bullying issue takes everyone to communicate in an open and on-blaming tone that is focused on building positive relationships and working together to support each other.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, bullying is defined as "any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma.  "Bullying" includes cyber bullying.  "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict. 

Nationally, 71% of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their schools, and more than 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. Data from the 2017 Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 13% of high school students reported being bullied on school property and 10% reported being bullied electronically. Of middle school students, 25% reported being bullied on school property and 13% reported being bullied online. Membership in either bully or victim groups is associated with dropping out of school, poor social development, criminal activity and other negative long-term consequences. 

Bullying affects everyone, from youth to older adults. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of  elder abuse.  As many as 1 in 5 senior citizens is the victim of verbal or physical abuse often by other seniors.  Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that  only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.  Abusers are both women and men. In almost  60% of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member.  Two-thirds of perpetrators are adult children or spouses.

A proclamation announced the start of the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria in 2014. The purpose of the campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is to wipe out bullying in our nation's schools and communities. Alexandria has joined more than 170 jurisdictions from around the country who have signed on to the campaign to raise awareness, foster a safe school climate,  end bullying in schools and communities, and encourage everyone to take a stand against bullying.

Since the inception of the Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria, the City's public schools, City government agencies, community organizations, youth leaders and residents have worked together to increase the awareness of the negative effects of bullying and prevent bullying among Alexandria's youth.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is strongly committed to creating a safe, positive school environment in which the academic performance, social, emotional and physical well-being of all students is supported. The ACPS Office of Equity and Cultural Competence, in conjunction with the Office of Student Services, provides programs and staff that promote healthy, caring, and responsible behaviors among students. Learn more about bullying and resources for bullying prevention and cyber safety.

• The Bully Project: Take the pledge, join the movement! 

• Facing History: Excerpts from the Film Bully 

• Video: John Adams School – "No Bully Zone!" 

• Bullying Prevention - Alexandria City Public Schools  

• Presentation: Social Media and Kids: A Staff and Parent Training on Text Messaging, Social Media, and Cyber-Bullying 

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is strongly committed to creating a safe and positive school environment in which the academic performance and social, emotional and physical well-being of all students is supported. The ACPS Department of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity supports programs and staff that promote healthy, caring, and responsible behaviors among students.  

ACPS Web Site: Bullying Prevention - Alexandria City Public Schools  

To address concerns about bullying or to report a bullying incident, please contact ACPS Department of Student Services, Alternative Programs and Equity at 703-619-8036 

To report senior abuse, contact the Adult Protective Services 24 hours/day. All reports are anonymous. 703.746.5999  

Contact Alexandria Safe Place at 703.746.5400 for 24-hour access to immediate help and support for young people (ages 5-18) in crisis or call Michael Johnson at 703.746.5571. 

To report a life-threatening emergency or situation, please call 911.