Bullying, Cyberbullying and Reporting

According to the VDOE, “Bullying is a community issue and must be addressed by students, parents, schools, and the entire community. Bullying exists in schools, but schools are also in a unique position to educate students and staff about its presence, danger, and negative consequences. Schools can teach behaviors that help protect students from the harmful effects of bullying.”

Defined in the Code of Virginia § 22.1-276.01, “Bullying” means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. "Bullying" includes cyber bullying. "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.

Some key elements of bullying are:

• Intentionally aggressive behavior designed to inflict harm

• Repetitive behavior planned into the future

• Interpersonal relationship marked by an imbalance of power

Behavior that is found to be bullying will result in disciplinary action. Cyberbullying that occurs off school grounds and/or does not include the use of the Albemarle County Public Schools' network or computers may also result in disciplinary action if it causes or is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the school environment or violate the rights of students, staff, or teachers. If you suspect that your child is being bullied, contact staff (teacher, school counselor, administrator) at your child’s school.

Virginia Code requires principals, or their designee, “to notify the parent of any student who is involved in an alleged bullying incident of the alleged incident within 24 hours of learning of such allegation." Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in bullying prevention and intervention. It is important that adults understand the difference between bullying and conflict and that there are different types of bullying. Students, families and staff are encouraged to report bullying incidents and all incidents should be addressed. When vigilant about reporting and addressing incidents of aggression, schools are more likely to see a reduction in incidents of bullying.