Recognizing October 2014 as National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and acknowledging the many organizations and individuals that work to prevent bullying, raise awareness about its significant lifelong impact and help young victims of bullying.

WHEREAS, The Federal Government has officially recognized bullying prevention with the creation of stopbullying.gov, a website created in partnership between the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice; and

WHEREAS, A 2011 study by the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 28 percent of students grades 6-12 have experienced bullying in some form or another. Another study by the same agency in 2013 found that 20 percent of 9-12 grade students have experienced bullying; and

WHEREAS, The 2011 documentary,

Bully

, gained national recognition as a powerful tool to show children and teenagers the effects of bullying. Adding personal stories to statistics, the documentary is a powerful tale of five students who face bullying on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, LGBT young people are often subject to bullying by peers. The 2011 National School Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found: 82 percent of LGBT youth had problems during the past school year with bullying about sexual orientation; 64 percent felt unsafe at school due to their LGBT identity; and

WHEREAS, The Attic Youth Center is the only organization in Philadelphia exclusively serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Since opening in 1993, The Attic has served over 10,000 young people, and their programming aims to build community, reduce isolation, combat homophobia, promote knowledge and life skills and develop future leaders; and

WHEREAS, The Mazzoni Center aims to provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBT-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals they serve. In addition to their more well-known services—such as a full array of medical, mental and behavioral health care and LGBT legal services—the Mazzoni Center is the primary coordinator of Gay Straight Alliance student groups citywide; providing empowerment and a critically important safe space within many of our City's schools; and

WHEREAS, The national organization GLAAD also supports initiatives for LGBT youth, and specifically supports #spiritday on October 16th. Participants in #spiritday are asked to wear the color purple, which symbolizes “spirit” on the rainbow flag. From its founding in the 1980's, GLAAD has worked diligently promote understanding, increase acceptance and advance equality; and

WHEREAS, Ending the bullying of all adults, teens and children should be a worldwide initiative, regardless of LGBT status or otherwise. The psychological effects of bullying can last throughout the person's life and in some cases is so severe that the person feels compelled to take their own life; and

WHEREAS, Standing up for every member of our society has been a social imperative for Philadelphia's City Council for many years. With this Resolution, Council once again stands for the vulnerable and the abused, to say: we will not stand for this; we will get you the help and the support you need; and we will not just stand up to bullies but work to create a world in which bullying does not exist; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby declare October 2014 as National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and acknowledge the many local organizations that work to both prevent bullying, and help young people cope with the terrible mental and physical aspects of being bullied.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Attic Youth Center, The Mazzoni Center, and all other anti-bullying initiatives as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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