Bullying is addressed through the “Safe School Climate Act” in South Carolina, which became effective on June 12, 2006, and serves to keep schools safe for all students.[1]
Defined: The Safe School Climate Act defines bullying as follows:
- Harassment, intimidation or bullying means a gesture, an electronic communication or a written, verbal, physical or sexual act that is reasonably perceived to have the effect of:
- Harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in a reasonable fear or personal harm or property damage; or
- Insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.[2]
Does the Safe School Climate Act only Apply in Schools?
No. The Safe School Climate Act further defines where such acts are prohibited. Defined in Subsection (2), “[s]chool” means in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the child.[3]
Anti-Bullying Policies?
The Act requires that school districts develop a policy against bullying, to include possible consequences as well as procedures for reporting acts of bullying. [4] The Act requires that school employees or volunteers who have reliable information about bullying must report the incident to an appropriate school official. [5]
What should you or your parent(s) do if you become a victim of bullying?
- If the child experiences bullying at school, they should immediately report it to a teacher, counselor, or school administrator. They should also tell their parents about the bullying.
- If a parent discovers or suspects their child is being bullied, the parents should contact the principal or assistant principal and request that it be fully investigated.
- If the parents are not satisfied with the school administrator’s course of action, parents may submit a written complaint to the District Superintendent’s office for further review.
- If parents are still not satisfied with the district’s course of action, parents may contact the State Department of Education’s Ombudsmen’s office.[6]
RESOURCES:
South Carolina Department of Education
StopBullying.gov
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc.
Bullying and Substance Abuse
[1] S.C. Code Section 59-63-120, available at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php
[2] S.C. Code Section 59-63-120(a-b), available at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php
[3] S.C. Code Section 59-63-120(2), available at available at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php
[4] S.C. Code Section 59-63-140, available at available at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php
[5] S.C. Code Section 59-63-130(B), available at available at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c063.php
[6] South Carolina Department of Education https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/school-safety/bullying