Every day, more than 160,000 children nationwide stay home from school to avoid being bullied. Not only are the effects of bullying on a child felt immediately, but they can also be lifelong - or even tragic. During the month of October, students, schools and communities across the nation unite to raise awareness of the issue of bullying prevention. That's why TheCitizensWhoCare.org is inviting the community to be part of Bullying Prevention Month activities this month. The goal is to understand that "The End of Bullying Begins with You" by providing you with the information you need to learn more about the issue.

The word “bullying” often conjures up an image of a school yard scene, with a big, intimidating student towering over a small, cowering child. While the face-to-face harassment certainly still exists, new ways of bullying have emerged that can be particularly harmful to children. With easy access to cell phones, instant messaging, mobile devices, social networking websites, and other technologies, bullying has found its way into cyberspace. Learn more at http://bit.ly/TMn0kz

Another face of a bully might be your child. Surprised? Many parents are. Often they have no idea that their child is harassing other children. Yet knowing the signs—and acting to change the situation—is vitally important in making the future safer for your child and all children. http://bit.ly/Orfydk

In spite of the significant impact that bullying can have on a target, it often continues to be viewed as acceptable behavior. There are many misperceptions that adults and administrators may have about bullying, all of which can lead to minimizing the behavior. Learn more about responses such as “boys will be boys” or “it’s only teasing” at.http://bit.ly/Pd2gxR

Are you a parent looking for ways to help your child? You can prepare yourself to talk with your children by considering how you are going to handle your child’s questions and emotions. You can also decide what information you would like to give your child about bullying http://bit.ly/Orfvya Here is a guide containing three steps to take when your child is being bullied at school; work with your child, work with the school and work with district administration. http://bit.ly/PtG7gP Next, check out ten steps you should take in reporting bullying to the school. http://bit.ly/PtFYd9

When a child is a target of bullying, parents need to document the events and develop a record (or history) of what is happening to their child. These records can help parents keep a concise, accurate timeline of events which is useful when talking with school educators, law enforcement personnel, or other individuals who may need to assist parents in intervening against bullying. Records are important. Remember – if it is not in writing, it does not exist. http://bit.ly/Orfnik

We've also placed a couple of electronic surveys on the web to provide an anonymous way for students to let us know what's been happening. One if they have been bullied at http://bit.ly/T0E1rW and one if they have observed someone being bullied at http://bit.ly/QlSviU Each survey takes less than 5 minutes and will help us understand your experience and start developing plans to help prevent others from having to go through a similar situation in the future.

Bullying happens in the workplace as well. This InfoBrief designed to help youth, including youth with disabilities, recognize signs of bullying in the workplace including examples of bullying situations and strategies to help address the issue. Much is understood about the negative consequences of bullying at school, but youth should also be made aware that bullying does not always end at school and is often encountered at work. http://bit.ly/PtHtbn

A "Students With Disabilities" handout provides an overview of important facts for parents, educators and students to know about students with disabilities and bullying. http://bit.ly/Np5ekA. Oregon’s anti-bullying laws and the key components they contain can be found at http://1.usa.gov/RN99UA

Special thanks goes out to the following community members who are supporting this program: Fred Meyer for wrist bands, Dairy Queen for gift certificates, Wayne Taylor Insurance Agency for bookmarks, and Curry Healthy Communities, Brookings City Council, Brookings Police Department, Les Schwab, U.S. Bank, Kerr's Ace Hardware, Curry Coastal Pilot, KURY Radio and TheCitizensWhoCare.org

We also want to thank PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in Minneapolis, MN for much of the contents of this report. The Center unites, engages and educates communities nationwide to address bullying through creative, relevant and interactive resources. Learn more at PACER.org/bullying or call 952-838-9000.

If you agree that all of our children should feel safe, secure and accepted at school, regardless of their differences, wear ORANGE every day this month. Our students need to know that there are members in our community who want to see an end to bullying at school, in community and at home.