​Bullying is often dismissed as part of growing up, but it’s actually an early form of aggressive and violent behavior.  Six out of 10 children who bully will have a criminal record before the age of 24, and Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom knows all too well how this behavior can turn into a criminal record.

Bullies don’t go away when elementary school ends. In fact, bullying actually peaks in middle school and continues into high school. It is reported that 160,000 children skip school every day because they fear being attacked or intimidated by another. Bullying takes lots of forms—girls can bully too.

Backstrom has developed presentations for students, staff and parents. The 45-minute presentation covers the types of bullying and harassing behavior including cyberbullying, statistics associated with it, and valuable information for victims, bystanders, staff and parents. Useful strategies are presented in hope of reducing this negative behavior. To schedule a presentation, contact Monica Jensen at 651-438-4440.

Parents, schools, law enforcement and others must work together to end harassing behavior by our youth. For more information for parents, see Dakota County Attorney’s Parents Go Ahead brochure.  For school staff, go to the County Attorney's Schools Get On Target brochure.

Other resources for schools

Sample Letter to Parents 
Bully Survey for Elementary Students
Bullying Prevention: Student to Student Training
Minnesota Statute
Bullying Prevention is Crime Prevention