Crime Prevention Month focuses on bullying

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Melanie Veilleux
  • 66th Security Forces Squadron
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Each October is designated as Crime Prevention Month by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC).

This year, the focus of the observance is bullying. The NCPC currently has two campaigns to help both children and parents prevent bullying and cyberbullying.

Young people say that bullying is one of the biggest problems they face, according to the NCPC website. In fact, 52 percent of students report seeing bullying at least once a week. This negatively affects the victims and the bullies as well as the kids who witness bullying and the school environment as a whole.

A lot of the time kids don't tell their parents that they're being bullied. They may be embarrassed, or they may think that telling will make the bullying worse, the website reports.

To help their children, parents may need to do some detective work to spot the clues that bullying is happening. Some signs that a child is being bullied include withdrawal, drop in grades, torn clothing, loss of friends, avoidance of school and other activities, bruises or the need for extra money or supplies. Parents can help by taking bullying seriously and talking to their children about it.

Every year since 1984 government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses and youth organizations have reached out to educate the public about crime prevention.

The NCPC website explains that crime prevention makes it harder for something harmful to happen. It means reducing the chances for criminals to victimize a person, their family or their neighbors. It means protecting property and teaching kids and adults to be alert and aware. It means doing things that build communities up and stopping things that tear communities down.

Citizen involvement has played a vital role in helping communities stay safe, according to the NCPC; however, there is still work to be done. Young people are also vital resources to their communities and can do a great deal to keep themselves, their homes and their schools safe.

For those interested in getting involved and supporting the NCPC's work to prevent bullying, visit www.ncpc.org or contact the Police Services section at 781-377-2635. Questions may also be emailed to: Hanscom.Police.Services@hanscom.af.mil.