Archived News - 2012

Students Not Allowed To See Powerful New Film "Bully"

Posted: 3/7/2012

Lee Hirsch's powerful new film "Bully" premiers March 30 but the audience that needs to see it the most will not be allowed in theaters. That's because the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has given the documentary an 'R' rating due to the language used. The ruling could ban students, who are on the front lines of bullying in America, from seeing the film unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"The stark realities of bullying are that kids say terrible things to each other ... and kids in junior and senior high school use profanity," Hirsch said in a statement. "It is devastating that the MPAA, in adhering to a strict limit on certain words, would prevent this film from being seen by those who need its message the most."

For the sake of students who have been bullied, please sign a petition urging MPAA to reconsider.

PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in Huffington Post

Posted: 3/6/2012

One of the important steps in effective bullying prevention is to recognize that the way we respond to the student who bullies is an important part of the equation, says Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. She was quoted this week in a “Huffington Post” article by Marlo Thomas about Monday’s tragic school shootings in Ohio. "We need to take the anger out of our response," Hertzog says. "Making villains of kids who bully does not create a positive environment. We need to teach all kids empathy and bring them together, inclusively." Read the article

PACER wins at the Grammy Awards! The album "All About Bullies ... Big and Small" collected music's highest award Sunday

Posted: 2/21/2012

the Grammy for Best Children’s Album, and ALL sale proceeds go to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Producer Steve Pullara gave a ‘shout out’ to PACER from the stage and again to throngs of international reporters on hand for the event. Find Out More

Minnesota students to Hold Bullying Prevention Rally at the State Capitol
Saturday, February 11 - noon to 1:00 pm

Posted: 2/2/2012

Join with the voices of Minnesota teens and make a statement to support stronger bullying prevention legislation.

The U.S. Department of Education released in December an Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies

Posted: 1/6/2012

a new report summarizing current approaches in the 46 states with anti-bullying laws and the 41 states that have created anti-bullying policies as models for schools. Read More about the Dept. of Ed Press release.