By Dana Fleitman, Program Coordinator
As Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) comes to a close, it is important to think about the different challenges adolescents may face, both inside and outside of their romantic relationships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that bullying has been on the rise; a 2009 survey showed that one in five high school students had experienced bullying at school, and 25% of public schools reported that bullying occurred among students on a daily or weekly basis. A new NIH study shows that bullying has powerful lifelong impacts on both the perpetrator and the victim, and children who are bullied may suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts into adulthood.
This innovative, powerful and moving combination of spoken word and animation – the To This Day Project by Shane Koyczan – is a poignant reminder of the impacts of bullying and childhood trauma and the importance of promoting positive and healthy relationships for young people.