October is National Bullying Prevention Month

This month is the sixth annual National Bullying Prevention Month. This event was originated by PACER, an organization that was founded in 1977 by parents of children and youth with disabilities (http://www.pacer.org/bullying/). In 2000, the PACER Center noticed an increase in bullying situations against children with disabilities, and so began to compile resources for bullying prevention. Ultimately, PACER realized that it was important to design these resources for all children. We know that many children who are gifted are also targeted by bullies.

National Bullying Prevention Month is dedicated to raising awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities and education. PACER's website offers its resources for parents, educators, teens and kids, and will also offer one-to-one assistance by phone or email with regard to bullying situations.

"This is a very real and painful issue that kids are facing," says Julie Hertzog, director of PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. "But they don't have to face it alone, and bullying can be prevented if we all work together to change the culture."