Kitsap Aware

One in four children in the U.S. is affected by bullying according to a 2016 YouthTruth survey. But in the 2016 Kitsap Healthy Youth Survey, about three in ten Kitsap County 8th graders reported being bullied in the past 30 days, making our rate higher than the Washington State or national average. And while hard drug and alcohol use has decreased slightly in this county and Washington State, bullying, particularly cyber-bullying, is on the increase.

A panel of four experts in this field will address a number of issues, including the HIB statute in Washington State that mandates a Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying policy in all school districts; personal experiences with bullying behavior; legal issues; help for a victim in dealing with a bully; how to address and modify bullying behavior.

The forum will also have a trio of students from North Kitsap High School performing a skit on this topic and will conclude with an opportunity to present written questions to individual panel members.

Featured Speakers and Performers:

• Todd L. Dowell, Sr., Kitsap County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division Supervisor
• Sue Ann Miglino, Dispute Resolution Center, Youth Services and Restorative Justice Coordinator
• Jane Chapin, retired principal, Cottonwood Elementary School, one of founders and a continuing Board member of Kitsap Safe Schools Network
• Kirsten Hytopoulos, attorney with experience in family law, mediation, and collaborative law
• North Kitsap High School seniors in Lifesavers for past three years – performing an anti-bullying skit