Teaneck, N.J., December 15, 2009. . .  The New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools, of which the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is a member, recommended a new, comprehensive and effective anti-bullying policy for all New Jersey schools. In 2008, the League was appointed to sit as a member on the Commission by Governor Jon Corzine.

As part of the group, ADL contributed its expertise on the issue of anti-bias, cyberbullying and diversity education, in addition to input based on the League's model state anti-bullying statute for states.

Etzion Neuer, ADL New Jersey Regional Director, issued the following statement:

New Jersey students have the right to participate fully in their school, free from harassment and bullying and all children should feel truly safe at school, including students who are bullied because of their religion, race, disability, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or other identified characteristics.

 

While the internet brings substantial value to our youth - both socially and educationally - it can also bring trouble.  New technologies have enabled traditional bullying to take a new and ubiquitous form in cyberbullying.  The time is ripe for school districts to reevaluate their policies, and make a commitment to understand and combat bullying of all forms. 

 

We urge the state legislature to review the Commission's findings and recommendations and act quickly to create a comprehensive and effective anti-bullying strategy to protect New Jersey students.

ADL has responded to the issue of cyberbullying by developing curriculum and programming for teachers, students and the community on how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying, and by developing a model bullying prevention law for states to adopt and implement.

ADL's Model Cyberbullying Prevention Statute requires school districts to adopt an anti-bullying policy in their schools that is comprehensive, practical and effective.  The policy gives schools the resources they need to combat and respond to bullying and cyberbullying.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.