Crime Prevention Council launches new campaign against bullying
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Monday, January 25, 2010
In a year where kids were exposed to a lot of disrespect-from
Kanye West stealing Taylor Swift's spotlight at the Video Music
Awards to Serena Williams losing the U.S. open after a temper
tantrum-instilling a little respect is a welcome idea.
Helping to get families involved in this theme is the National
Crime Prevention Council, which recently launched the Circle of
Respect Campaign to tackle these issues, beginning this year with
bullying and cyber-bullying.
"People in general have really lost civility and respect in dealing
with one another," says Robin Young, program associate for NCPC's
children and youth initiative. "We wanted to bring respect back
into the conversation."
One way the organization is hoping to tackle that mission is
with the introduction of the Circle of Respect Book Club, which
features books and authors who can help parents and children who
are coping with bullying. The first few books have included Queen
Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman, Odd Girl Out: The Hidden
Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons and The Skin I'm
In by Sharon Flake. The first two books are targeted toward
parents, while the last one is written for younger people to help
them gain a stronger sense of self-acceptance.
The idea for the book club began after many parents were calling
NCPC asking for advice on how to deal with bullying, from cruel
Facebook posts to a child becoming a target for teasing at school,
Young says. "The authors themselves and the books they write about
let you know that you're not the only one going through this," she
says. "It opens the discussion and connects them with lots of
parents."
Right now, the book club offers podcasts online with the authors.
Young says the group hopes to expand its offerings with online
discussion forums and community-based book clubs under the larger
national umbrella. "We want to change the notion that bullying is a
fact of life," Young says. "Respect is a fact of life and a rite of
passage."
For more information, visit circleofrespect.org.
