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We Stand Together - Bullying Prevention

Pledgebullying
We believe that all youth have the right to feel safe, included, valued and accepted.
We pledge to:
Support youth who are being bullied;
Teach by example, treating others with respect;
Open our eyes and be alert to all incidents of bullying;
Provide resources that will support the advancement of youth and their families.

History
In July of 2015, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) put out a national Call to Action against bullying that was signed by Mayor Rotering. The City of Highland Park, the school districts, park district, agencies and not-for-profit organizations joined together to promote an on-going and unified message about bullying awareness, prevention, and intervention.

Bullying knows no bounds and impacts all ages from young children to seniors and affects people across all socio-economic groups.

Participating organizations promote a unified message about bullying awareness, prevention, and intervention. The City held proactive events with trained counselors, educators, and national experts. The “We Stand Together” Campaign Against Bullying kicked off in October 2015 during National Bullying Prevention Month. The response to the campaign and the commitment from partners and the community was overwhelmingly positive.

The campaign is an on-going initiative, building on its success and the important message that it brings. The growing list of partners includes: the City of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112, Township High School District 113, the Park District, the Police Department, the City’s Human Relations Commission, our Director of Youth and Senior Services, the Highland Park Public Library, Family Services, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, Ravinia Festival and communities across Lake County and beyond.

According to the USCM, bullying is defined as “an imbalance of power with physical, verbal, sexual or emotional harm or intimidation intentionally directed at a person or group of people, and (is) considered the most common form of violence in our society affecting all ages.” Bullying occurs in neighborhoods, places of employment, playgrounds, schools, and through technology such as the Internet and cell phones, and can have dire and sometimes tragic consequences for the bullied and bullies alike.

Standing together, we will make a difference.

Local Resources
Lake County Yes Coalition
Lake County State's Attorney's Office
Illinois State Board of Education - Bullying Resources
Stop Bullying - Illinois Anti-Bullying Laws and Policies
National Education Association - Bully Free: It Starts With Me
Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying

Cyberbullying
Often times kids become the victims of bullying through social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yik Yak, YouTube etc.) or through their cell phones via call or through text messaging. The following websites will provide ways to identify, prevent and solve cyberbullying:
Illinois Attorney General - Stop Cyberbullying
Illinois Attorney General - Stop Cyberbullying: For Parents
National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying
Critical Cyberbullying Statistics 

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month 
Learn how to STOMP Out Bullying in October 

Important Phone Numbers
Crisis Hotline - 847.377.8088
Depression Hotline - 630.482.9696
National Runaway Crisis Line - 800.786.2929
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24-Hour - 800.273.8255
Emergency - 911