KSDK NewsChannel 5 - I-Team Bullying

We wanted to know how widespread bullying is and what school districts are doing about it. We randomly picked 12 schools and watched recess from a public street. Any parent or principal could do the same thing. We found bullying far more common than we thought, and supervision far less common than you might think.
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>> O N E M O T H E R ' S S T O R Y

Bullying can be devastating to children. "He was being literally harassed. His things were being taken from him. His money was being taken from him," says Shanta Cretter. Her 10-year-old son DaShawn committed suicide last November because, Shanta says, he didn't want to go back to school.

"You shouldn't have to everyday go to school looking at a person that's going to pick on you,” she says.
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>> F O L L O W U P

After seeing Tuesday’s report, some parents tell NewsChannel 5 they'll do their own playground spot-checks to make sure schools are safe. Principals, teachers, and counselors have been calling and e-mailing too, wanting to know what they can do.
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For some, being bullied becomes a long-term nightmare. That wasn't the case for one 10-year old boy. He found a friend, and a safe person he could talk to. And his bullying problems went away, along with his fear.
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>> C O M M E N T S

Do you have questions or comments on this story? Send us an email to comments@ksdk.com.

>> R E S O U R C E S

There are several resources for parents, teachers, students, and school districts. Here are a few websites for more information.

Stopthebullyingnow.gov: Advice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control: Bully statistics

Missouri National Education Association: The effects of bullying

For information on Missouri NEW bullying prevention training program call 800-392-0236.

NBC: The More You Know: Talking to kids about violence

Bullying Online: Advice for parents

No-bully.com: Steps for how to stop it

Colorado Association of School Boards Sample Policy on Bullying Prevention and Education

SAMHSA: Help with bullies and other topics

Cyberbullying.org: Bullies in Cyberspace

Bully Online: Bullies in the workplace and other environments