Massachusetts passes anti-bullying law
AFP
NEW YORK- The state assembly in Massachusetts passed anti-bullying legislation Thursday intended to prevent a repeat of a tragic incident that ended with the suicide of an Irish immigrant girl at a local school.
The bill, which is now expected to be signed by the governor, requires school staff to report and investigate bullying. It also stipulates how bullying common at schools can be defined as crimes including stalking or criminal harassment.
The definition of bullying in the law includes harassment over the Internet, or "cyber-bullying," as well as telephone harassment and the more obvious physical aggression or creation of a "hostile environment."
Nine students have been charged in the bullying of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, who hanged herself January 14 after what officials say was a merciless bullying campaign at South Hadley High School.
The local district attorney, Elizabeth Scheibel, says the children made Prince's last day "tortuous."
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Nine students have been charged in the bullying of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, who hanged herself January 14 after what officials say was a merciless bullying campaign at South Hadley High School.
The local district attorney, Elizabeth Scheibel, says the children made Prince's last day "tortuous."
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