Sanchez introduces anti-bullying measure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Linda Sanchez last week introduced bipartisan legislation that would require schools and school districts to institute policy that bans bullying and harassment.The Safe Schools Improvement Act would protect students from harassment whether they are being targeted based on their race, gender, real or perceived sexual orientation, or any other basis, Sanchez said. "We owe it to our children to protect them and make sure they have a safe and comfortable learning environment at school," the congresswoman said. "We are failing our students if they are afraid to come to school because they face daily threats and intimidation. "Bullying can destroy a student's self-esteem and wreck their academic progress. No child deserves to be bullied or harassed, and it's time we made this violence and destructive behavior a relic of the past." "Bullying remains an epidemic in our schools and occurs at alarming rates based on sexual orientation and gender identity," added Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

********** Published: March 21, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 49