Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRequest that the City Recognize October as National Bullying f""VED 6 -0-1 PE7LP-S-Dn/ ABSt-Nv City of Huntington Beach File #: 21-745 MEETING DATE: 10/19/2021 Submitted by Mayor Carr and Councilmember Moser - Request that the City recognize October as National Bullying Prevention Month, while reaffirming our City's commitment against bullying Recommended Action: We recommend the City Council endorse an ongoing commitment to addressing bullying in all its forms by recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, and that we reaffirm the City's Commitment to its 2012 Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying. City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 1003/2021 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING —COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: KIM CARR, MAYOR NATALIE MOSER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE: OCTOBER 19, 2021 SUBJECT: REQUEST THAT THE CITY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH, WHILE REAFFIRMING OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT AGAINST BULLYING October is National Bullying Prevention Month (NBPM). This month-long event is a time for communities to work together to prevent bullying in all forms by increasing awareness of its prevalence and impact on children and people of all ages. NBPM is also an opportunity to promote kindness, acceptance, respect, and inclusion. Bullying is defined as the use of force, coercion, or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often habitual. It is characterized by hostile intent, perceived imbalance of power either socially or physically, and repetition over a period of time. Research has shown that bullying often leaves lasting negative effects, including chronic depression, increased risk of suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor general health, self-harm, substance abuse, and difficulty establishing trusting, reciprocal relationships. Research has also shown that many people who exhibit bullying behaviors have themselves been the victims of bullying in the past. In 2012, the City Council requested that the Human Relations Task Force conduct a study on bullying in Huntington Beach, which led to the approval of a Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying (see attached). Additionally,the City has adopted and reaffirmed a Declaration of Policy about Human Dignity, which states that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect. It is important to emphasize that bullying is not only isolated as a childhood problem, but affects adolescents and adults,as well. In this moment of rising tensions and divisions within both our nation and our community, we have witnessed increased aggressive behaviors and bullying tactics being used by some groups and individuals. We firmly believe that our City Council should support efforts to raise awareness regarding the harms that occur as a result of these behaviors, and that, as leaders, we model and encourage positive ways for us to treat each other, regardless of our differences of opinion. RECOMMENDED ACTION We recommend the City Council endorse an ongoing commitment to addressing bullying in all its forms by recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, and that we reaffirm the City's Commitment to its 2012 Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying. N�,ttngton Beach, CaJ(f / of �, or 'fO' �J low 1M01,omled 1909 r lk,�P Ro C LA MA T10 PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGAINST BULLYING Huntington Beach,California October 1S,2012 Whereas, bullying is an imbalance of power with physical,verbal,sexual, or emotional harm or intimidation intentionally directed at a person or group of people;and Whereas, bullying occurs in neighborhoods, places of employment, playgrounds, schools,and through technology such as the Internet and cell phones; and Whereas,various researchers have concluded that bullying is the most common form of violence,affecting millions of American students annually;and Whereas,thousands of California students are affected by bullying annually; and Whereas,targets of bullying are more likely to acquire physical, emotional, and learning problems; and Whereas,students who are repeatedly bullied often fear such activities as riding the bus, going to school, and attending community activities; and Whereas,people who bully are at greater risk of engaging in more serious violent behav- iors; and Whereas,people who witness bullying often feel less secure,more fearful, and intimi- dated, Now Therefore, We,City Council Members of the City of Huntington Beach,proclaim our ongoing commitment to address bullying in all its forms and encourage schools, students, parents,community organizations,and religious institutions to engage in a variety of aware- ness and prevention activities designed to make our community safer for all students and all citizens,including the recognition of October as National Bullying Prevention Month. Dated this 15th day of October, 2012 DonDon Hi D in Dwyer,)670K Pro Tem Con to Board , Councilmember / Keith Bohr, Councilmember oe Car io, Councilmember r l Matthew Harper, Councilmember Joe w, Con 'member City of Huntington Beach File #: 21-745 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2021 Item Submitted by Councilmembers Carr and Moser - Request that the City recognize October as National Bullying Prevention Month, while reaffirming our City's commitment against bullying Recommended Action: We recommend the City Council endorse an ongoing commitment to addressing bullying in all its forms by recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, and that we reaffirm the City's Commitment to its 2012 Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying. City o1 Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Pnnted on 9/292021 .._46fi ,.z.. CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING—COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: KIM CARR, MAYOR NATALIE MOSER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE: OCTOBER 5, 2021 SUBJECT: REQUEST THAT THE CITY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH, WHILE REAFFIRMING OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT AGAINST BULLYING October is National Bullying Prevention Month (NBPM). This month-long event is a time for communities to work together to prevent bullying in all forms by increasing awareness of its prevalence and impact on children and people of all ages. NBPM is also an opportunity to promote kindness, acceptance, respect, and inclusion. Bullying is defined as the use of force, coercion, or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often habitual. It is characterized by hostile intent, perceived imbalance of power either socially or physically, and repetition over a period of time. Research has shown that bullying often leaves lasting negative effects, including chronic depression, increased risk of suicidal thoughts, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor general health, self-harm, substance abuse, and difficulty establishing trusting, reciprocal relationships. Research has also shown that many people who exhibit bullying behaviors have themselves been the victims of bullying in the past. In 2012, the City Council requested that the Human Relations Task Force conduct a study on bullying in Huntington Beach, which led to the approval of a Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying (see attached). Additionally,the City has adopted and reaffirmed a Declaration of Policy about Human Dignity, which states that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect. It is important to emphasize that bullying is not only isolated as a childhood problem, but affects adolescents and adults,as well. In this moment of rising tensions and divisions within both our nation and our community, we have witnessed increased aggressive behaviors and bullying tactics being used by some groups and individuals. We firmly believe that our City Council should support efforts to raise awareness regarding the harms that occur as a result of these behaviors, and that, as leaders, we model and encourage positive ways for us to treat each other, regardless of our differences of opinion. RECOMMENDED ACTION I recommend the City Council endorse an ongoing commitment to addressing bullying in all its forms by recognizing October as National Bullying Prevention Month, and that we reaffirm the City's Commitment to its 2012 Proclamation of the City Council Against Bullying. 459 of1P,Mgton Beach,Ca//par l'CorPoreted 1909 rs �►, 0 T' RO CL,9 9W X TIO PROCLAMATION OFTHE CTfY COUNCILAGAINST BULLYING Huntington Beach,California October 15,2012 Whereas, bullying is an imbalance of power with physical,verbal,sexual,or emotional harm or intimidation Intentionally directed at a person or group of people;and Whereas, bullying occurs in neighborhoods, places of employment, playgrounds, schools, and through technology such as the Internet and cell phones; and Whereas,various researchers have concluded that bullying is the most common form of violence,affecting millions of American students annually;and Whereas,thousands of California students are affected by bullying annually; and Whereas,targets of bullying are more likely to acquire physical, emotional,and learning problems; and Whereas,students who are repeatedly bullied often fear such activities as riding the bus, going to school, and attending community activities; and Whereas,people who bully are at greater risk of engaging in more serious violent behav- iors; and Whereas,people who witness bullying often feel less secure, more fearful,and intimi- dated, Now Therefore, We,City Council Members of the City of Huntington Beach,proclaim our ongoing commitment to address bullying In all its forms and encourage schools,students, parents,community organizations,and religious institutions to engage in a variety of aware- ness and prevention activities designed to make our community safer for all students and all citizens,including the recognition of October as National Bullying Prevention Month. Dated this1S'tth day of October, 2011 Don Hansen, Mayor D in Dwyer, o r/Pro Tem Con ie Board , Councilmember Keith Bohr, Councilmember oe Car ic, Councilmember IIII ^ Matthew Harper Councilmember Joe w, Co n 'member 460