Gordon Clay here. According to last year's Oregon Healthy Teen survey, 21% of Brookings-Harbor high school Juniors were harassed at school or on the way to or from school in the 30 days prior to taking the survey. Over 24% of this harassment was about physical characteristics, 18% unwanted sexual comments, 12% about their group of friends, 9% about sexual orientation, and 6% about ethnic origin.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. We invite anyone in the Brookings-Harbor area under 19 to write an anonymous nonfiction essay about their bullying experience and how it has impacted their lives. The best essay will win a $50 gift certificate from Dairy Queen, with additional prizes offered. The entry can be completed on-line and the deadline is October 8.

Two other on-line experiences for youth that can give us some valuable information about bullying in our area are two anonymous surveys. One for those who have been bullied and one for those who have seen bullying.

Go to TheCitizensWhoCare.org home page for direct access to the contest and surveys scrolling across the page.

On October 10th Join us at the Chetco Public Library at 6pm for a viewing of a film on bullying followed by an open discussion. Those attending who sign a pledge against bullying will receive an orange wrist band to signify their commitment.

Then on October 18th at 6:30pm in the Azalea Middle School Gym, there will be a powerful presentation called Rachel's Challenge about the things we can do everyday to make our world a better place. Join us, won't you?

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Sources:

Have you been bullied? http://bit.ly/T0E1rW
Have you seen bullying? http://bit.ly/QlSviU
Essay contest entry - 2012 - http://bit.ly/U8ZoXu
Uniy Day - October 10 - 6p Chetco Public Library film on bullying - http://bit.ly/SIBN0p