RESOLUTION ON BULLYING AND ITS PREVENTION
The 176th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan (October 22-23, 2010)
SUBJECT: Bullying and Its Prevention
Since Michigan is one of only five states with no anti-bullying legislation, Disability Awareness, the Oasis TBLG Outreach Ministry, Covenant 5, and the Transgender
Bisexual Lesbian Gay Concerns Committee request as follows:
Resolved
that the 176th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan exhort the Michigan Legislature to adopt a statewide anti-bullying bill mandating all Michigan K-12 schools to create and enforce anti-bullying policies protecting all students, instructors, staff members and administrators.
And be it further
Resolved
that this Convention urge its parishes and individual members of the Diocese to exhort the Michigan Legislature to similar effect.
And be it further
Resolved
that this Convention urge its clergy and laity to address this concern in sermons, homilies, Reflections, and discussion groups.
And be it further
Resolved
That the Secretary of Convention send copies of this resolution to the Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Sheriffs Association, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan State Police, the Presiding Bishop, and the President of the House of Deputies.
EXPLANATION/RATIONALE:
Bullying invades every aspect of our country’s life from the individual to the global level. In particular, it targets our children and youth, the most vulnerable members of our society. Whether spontaneous or planned, bullying is an assault on human worth and dignity, leading at worst to suicidal thinking and behavior, as witness the recent suicides of many young people.
“Michigan needs to acknowledge that there is a problem with school bullying - all kinds, not just gay-related. Michigan is one of only five states without anti-bullying legislation . . . Schools need to establish policies against bullying. The Michigan Department of Education has an excellent model policy . . . Teachers and administrators should be trained so they know when and how to intervene, and what to do for both the bully and the victim . . . Students need to be shown that while they can believe and think what they want, they must not bully or harass anyone . . . Bullying should not be tolerated in our schoolyards, colleges and universities or workplaces. It is time to take action to ensure that America's promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is there for all its citizens.” (LSJ.com, Judith Kovach, Executive Director of the Michigan Psychological Association and Director of the Michigan Project for Informed Public Policy, www.mpipp. org/).
"It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." (Luke 17:1-2)
We are enjoined by the Fifth Baptismal Covenant
to strive for justice and peace among all people,
and to respect the dignity of every human being.
(Holy Baptism, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 305)