Governor Lynch Urges Lawmakers Not To Weaken Bullying Laws
Governor John Lynch today urged lawmakers not to move forward with a bill that would weaken New Hampshire’s bullying laws.
Governor Lynch addressed “Stop the Bullying, A Collaborative Approach,” a conference of educators, juvenile justice workers and practitioners.
It is sponsored by the New Hampshire State Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice in collaboration with the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
Last year, Governor Lynch signed a law that strengthened and updated New Hampshire’s decade-old anti-bullying statute.
The new law ensures every school has a clear anti-bullying policy and for the first time, the new law addresses the act of cyber-bullying.
“Together we need to send a clear message of zero tolerance for bullying. That’s exactly what we have done here in New Hampshire,” Governor Lynch said. “Bullying cannot be taken lightly because the impact it has on its victims can be so severe. Many victims of bullying suffer physical, verbal and emotional wounds – wounds that are long-lasting. These young victims of bullying are often reluctant to report what’s happening to them, out of fear of retaliation.”
Recent legislation that has passed the House would rollback some of the advancements made in the new anti-bullying law.
Specifically, the legislation would undo New Hampshire’s progress in addressing cyber-bullying.
“Cyber-bullying is a relatively new phenomenon, but we must take action to make it clear it will not be tolerated,” Governor Lynch said. “Through the use of cell phones, social networking sites and e-mail, bullying can be taken to a whole new level – very often out of sight of adults, parents and teachers. We need to be clear and send a strong message that we will not tolerate bullying in any form – whether it is on the schoolyard or over the Internet.”
“By undoing requirements to address cyber-bullying, the legislation that passed the House sends the wrong message, allowing bullies to hide in the shadows of cyber-space,” Governor Lynch said.
Topics: 2011, America, Anti Bullying, bullies, bully, bullying, children, cyber bullying, cyber space, discrimination, education, enforcement, Governance, government, internet, juvenille justice, law, legislature, moniter, monitor, New Hampshire, news, online, parents, protection, public schools, public services, safety, school violence, schools, security, society, stalking, students, teachers, U.S., United States, verbal abuse, youth
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