HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 666 Draft 01 2022-2024A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS ANTI-BULLYING AWARENESS MONTH AND PROMOTING EFFORTS TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST BULLYING IN HAWAI‘I COUNTY.
WHEREAS, October was first declared a National Bullying Prevention month in 2006, since then October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children
and families; and
WHEREAS, bullying in schools is a pervasive issue that undermines a student’s ability to learn in a safe environment, resulting in long-lasting negative impacts on the mental, emotional,
and physical well-being of victims, contributing to increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide; and
WHEREAS, bullying involves unwanted, aggressive behavior with a real or perceived power imbalance, manifesting in direct actions such as teasing, taunting, threats, hitting, and stealing,
as well as indirect behaviors such as spreading rumors, exclusion, and creating social isolation – amounting to physical or psychological intimidation over time, creating a continuous
pattern of harassment and abuse; and
WHEREAS, studies from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control show that children and teens who are bullied are more likely to suffer academically, face social isolation,
and encounter personal development challenges, while bullies who go unchecked risk evolving into violent adults, often engaging in domestic violence and child abuse; and
WHEREAS, the effects of bullying extend beyond the victim to the broader community, fostering a climate of fear, hostility, and exclusion that undermines efforts to create inclusive
and supportive spaces in schools, workplaces, and other public settings; and
WHEREAS, bullying is not confined to schoolyards, but also occurs in cyberspace, requiring a multifaceted and collaborative, community-wide approach combining education, prevention,
intervention, and support strategies; and
WHEREAS, bullying is not a harmless rite of passage, and bystander – those who witness bullying – can play a crucial role by intervening, supporting to victims, and empowering children
and youth to recognize bullying behavior and report it to a trusted adult; and
WHEREAS, children must understand what bullying is, know it is unacceptable, and feel safe reporting it, while adults must foster a supportive environment and provide guidance, comfort,
ad actionable advice in response; and
WHEREAS, October is nationally recognized as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, encouraging schools, parents, youth, community organizations, and governments implement activities that raise
awareness, prevent bullying, and support those who have been affected; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that October is hereby designated as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi County, and the County encourages all residents,
schools, businesses, and organizations to work together to create an atmosphere of zero tolerance for bullying.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Hawaiʻi urges the following actions to address and prevent bullying: open discussions about bullying, role modeling respect, and creating safe
spaces for youth to express concerns; workshops to teach empathy, conflict resolution, and communication skills; accessible mental health resources, peer support, and anti-bullying
policies in schools; and digital literacy programs to help youth safely navigate online spaces.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an “all hands-on deck” approach is necessary, calling for collaboration between schools, community organizations, mental health professionals, law enforcement,
and policymakers to create a united front against bullying in all forms.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Joshua B. Green, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaiʻi; the Honorable Members
of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature; the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; the Superintendent of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; the Hawaiʻi Island
Complex Area Superintendents; the principals of all Hawaiʻi Island schools; and members of the Hawaiʻi County Youth Commission.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
GALIMBA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
LEE LOY
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.