Today, November 5, is the first International Day against Violence and Bullying at School including Cyberbullying.

This day was established by all 193 United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Member States to recognize the harm violence and bullying in school has on children, particularly on their rights to education, health, and well-being.

Anti-bullying efforts are particularly important as a recent UNESCO report found that almost one in three students have been bullied by their peers in the last month. Globally, half of the world’s adolescent report violence at schools.

According to Human Rights Watch, girls, members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, refugees, and children with disabilities experience high levels of violence and bullying in schools.

I encourage all my constituents to be kind to each other and engage in anti-bullying efforts. Remember the golden rule- treat people the way that you would like to be treated.