Legislator Joshua Lafazan Introduces Legislation To Create Nassau County Anti-Bullying Resource Website
Mineola, NY - June 21, 2018 - Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (Woodbury) filed legislation on Friday, June 15 that would mandate the creation of a Nassau County website dedicated to providing bullying prevention information and resources in time for the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
Legislator Lafazan’s proposal would direct the County’s Department of Information Technology, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Nassau County Police Department, to create a website including: definitions of bullying; explanations of different types of bullying; guidance for spotting bullying and bullies; and bullying prevention resources.
There will also be resources for young people being bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Information and resources for the website will be gathered from nonprofits and other advocacy groups. Committee hearings for the proposal are scheduled for Monday, June 25.
“Bullying does not cease when the school bell rings at the end of the day. In the social media age, it continues 24 hours a day on the victims’ phones and computers,” Legislator Lafazan said. “By directing Nassau County to create a clearinghouse of anti-bullying resources for children, families and teachers, we are taking an important step toward educating and empowering our residents.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 28 percent of students in grades six through 12 have experienced bullying. Approximately 30 percent of young people admit to bullying others, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The new County website, which would go live no later than Aug. 31, will be regularly updated and also contain the names and contact information for each Nassau County school district’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) school coordinator.
"We are so thankful to be supporting Nassau County in the fight against bullying and we are thankful for Legislator Lafazan’s leadership and his team’s assistance in getting this done,” Joseph Salamone, Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying, said. “This website will serve as a valuable and comprehensive tool for families in Nassau County to get the tips and resources they need when dealing with bullying.”