PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center:
Its History and Impact

In early 2000, PACER noted that calls from parents of children with disabilities about bullying situations were increasing. The stories were heartbreaking, and parents said they did not know what to do, what their rights were, or what steps to take.

PACER decided to take action. The first step was to launch the curriculum “Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Intervention Strategies for Parents of Children with Disabilities” in 2003, which was distributed nationally. PACER continued to develop written information about bullying prevention for children with disabilities. In 2005, PACER received their first grant to develop bullying prevention resources. At that time, it was decided that it was important that the resources be designed for all children, including those with disabilities, which led to the development of the PACER’sKidsAgainstBullying.org, which is a website with a cast of 12 characters, several of which have disabilities.

The demand for resources continued to grow, and PACER responded to that need by developing more resources, offering free information, and creating awareness campaigns.

Today, in 2011, PACER continues to offer free resources to students, schools, parents, and the community, through three websites: PACER.org/Bullying, designed to provide free resources to schools and communities, PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org, designed to educate middle and high school students, along with PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org.

PACER is also the founder of National Bullying Prevention Month in October. What started as a week in 2006 and has continued to grow and evolve into a nationally renowned event.

Timeline

1977 – PACER incorporates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

2005 – PACER receives a $100,000 grant from Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi Foundation to create an online bullying prevention site for elementary school students.

2006 – PACER’s KIDS AGAINST BULLYING, an interactive, animated website for elementary school students is launched.

2006 – PACER sponsors the First National Bullying Prevention Month (originally a week) with the following co-sponsors: National Education Association, National PTA, American Federation for Teachers, and National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education.

2007 – PACER partners with Yahoo! Kids during National Bullying Prevention Month.

2009 – PACER’s TEENS AGAINST BULLYING, an edgy, teen-relevant website created with cutting-edge technology is launched.

2009 – Teen star and singing sensation, Demi Lovato, becomes a national spokesperson.

2009 – PACER pilots a KIDS AGAINST BULLYING puppet show.

2010 – PACER’s bullying prevention resources are included in a New York Times live event and featured on:

• Ellen DeGeneres’ website
• CBS Today Show
• CBS with Brian Williams
• CNN with Anderson Cooper and Josh Levs
• PEOPLE
• Family Circle
• Woman’s Day
• Yahoo!Kids
• Facebook-sponsored campaign reaching more than 15 million.

2010 – PACER sponsors the first Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying with more than 200 participants.

2011 –

• PACER’s Executive Director and PACER advocates invited to the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention.
• PACER invited to testify at Office for Civil Rights on behalf of students with disabilities and bullying (harassment).
• Ellen Degeneres receives PACER's Leadership Award.
• PACER holds the second annual Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying. Other organizations around the country hold their own Run, Walk, Rolls using PACER's free online toolkit.
• Thousands participate in PACER's first UNITY DAY, "Make it orange, make it end, unite against bullying". Ellen wears orange to show her support.
• Students around the country participate in the first UNITY DANCE DAY, using music and dance to show support of those who are bullied.
• FBI awards PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center with "Director's Community Leadership Award."

2012 –

• PACER partners with “The Bully Project”, a documentary by filmmaker Lee Hirsch, to raise awareness of students with disabilities and bullying.
• PACER supports four local students to leading a bullying prevention rally in Minnesota
• PACER becomes a Grammy winner through their collaboration on the CD, “All About Bullies Big and Small”

Interesting Facts About PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
2010-11 Fiscal Year

• 1,361,608 Total web visits during fiscal year
• 749,849 Web Visits to PACER.org/Bullying
  – Resources for Schools and Parents
• 260,046 Web Visits to PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org
  – Resources for Middle/High School Students
• 351,713 Web Visits to PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org
  – Resources for Elementary School Students

66% Percentage increase of web visits to PACER’s bullying resources from 2010 to 2011

27,000+ Number of “signatures” on the online “The End of Bullying Begins With Me” petition

93% Percentage of students who answered “yes” that TeensAgainstBullying.org will raise awareness of bullying prevention

95% Percentage of parents and professionals who would refer KidsAgainstBullying.org and TeensAgainstBullying.org to other parents

175+ Number of countries with someone who has reached out to PACER through online resources

165 million+ Potential number of people reached through media promotion of PACER’s bullying prevention resources