Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria

Bullying is the most common form of violence in our society. More than 70% of young people nationwide say they have seen bullying in their schools, and 30% have admitted to bullying others.

Page updated on Oct 9, 2020 at 11:07 AM

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Bullying Prevention Month 2020 



National Bullying Prevention Month in Alexandria was kicked off at the City Council legislative meeting on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. with the presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Justin Wilson. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bullying Prevention Month activities are limited, but there are things everyone can do in recognition of Bullying Prevention Month. Check out weekly awareness and prevention tweets at @BullyFreeAlexVA (and post a photo wearing green, with the hashtag #BullyFreeStartsWithMe); get info from a new Bully Free Brochure;  wear green on October 9,  Unity Day on Advocacy ; and Alexandria City Public Schools students can participate in a Red Ribbon Campaign Poster Contest on bullying awareness.

During October—and every month, declare your support for a bully-free Alexandria!  Pledge your support and receive information and resources on how you can help reduce bullying. For more information, contact Mac Slover, Chair, at mac.slover29@outlook.com.

  • Bullying Prevention Poster
  • Take the Pledge! Pledge your support for a Bully-Free Alexandria. Email your completed forms to michael.johnson@alexandriava.gov
  • Visit the Bully-Free Alexandria Twitter page—@BullyFreeAlexVA — wear green and post your photo with #BullyFreeStartsWithMe
  • Unity Day Flyer — For all Alexandria youth and adults. Wear green and show your support for a Bully Free Alexandria! Hashtag your posts and photos with #BullyFreeStartsWithMe
  • Anti-Bullying Coloring Sheets — Bullying prevention messages for kids (and adults!) to color.   
                                   

Bullying Prevention Month Event Partners

  • Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy
  • Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
  • 18th District Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Service Unit
  • Alexandria City Public Schools
  • Alexandria Office of Communications and Public Information
  • Alexandria Sheriff's Department
  • Alexandria Police Department
  • Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria
  • Alexandria Health Department Teen Wellness Center
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria 

Bully Free Brochure

The Mayor’s Campaign to End Bullying created a new, comprehensive brochure that describes the campaign’s goal; explains what bullying is; lists bullying’s effects; provides statistics describing the extent of bullying nationally and in Alexandria; lists responses to bullying activity; and explains how to report bullying.
Bully Free Brochure 

Red Ribbon Campaign Poster Contest 2020

The Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. This year's theme is "Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free." In partnership with the ACPS FACE Center, SCAN of Northern Virginia and the Mayor’s Campaign to End Bullying, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA), is excited to once again bring the campaign to Alexandria this year! 

It takes a community to teach prevention. How will you celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31, this fall? Visit the SAPCA website for tips and ideas, including information about this year's Red Ribbon Poster Contest!

Upcoming Meetings and Events

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Background

    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. 

    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.

    Photo Gallery


    Bully Free Girls Summer Clinic Bully Free Girls Summer Clinic
    Bully Free Girls Summer Clinic Miracle Baseball League of Alexandria (Adults Therapeutic Recreation)


    Bully Free Girls Summer Clinic Recreation Department Staff
    City Council Proclamation City Council Proclamation

     

    Team Court Service Unit Joins Bully Prevention Day at the Courthouse

    Bullying Prevention in Alexandria City Public Schools

    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 Mayor's Campaign to End Bullying Planning Committee

    • Mac Slover - Chair
      Community Member

    • William D. Euille
      Former Mayor - Community Member
        
    • Michael Johnson 
      Alexandria Department of Recreation 

    • Sheri James
      Alexandria City Public Schools 

    • Darrell Sampson
      Alexandria City Public Schools 

    • Andrea Blackford 
      Alexandria Office of Communications and Public Information 

    • Percy White
      Court Services Unit
    • Officer Bennie Evans 
      Alexandria Police Department 

    • Allen Lomax
      Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria 

    • Lisette Torres 
      Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy 
    • Fannie Allen
      Community Member   

    • Emma Beall
      Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria

    • Nathan Toews
      Senior Services of Alexandria

    • Marshall Hespe
      Senior Services of Alexandria

    • Joy Paluska
      National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

    • Jamie Aylor
      Alexandria Department of Recreation

    • Morgan Garner
      Alexandria Sheriff's Office

    • Faith Spillman
      Alexandria Police Department

    More Information

    To address concerns about bullying or to report a bullying incident, please inform your school's principal.

    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.

    For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at 703.746.3959.

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