Bullying will no longer be tolerated in Ontario schools.  Finally - officially!

The Accepted Schools Act, an anti-bullying legislation, also known as Bill 13, is well on its way to becoming law. Bill 13 passed through the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on Tuesday June 5 and will receive Royal Assent later this month which could result in it becoming a law in time for the new school year in September.

With the passing of this bill children and parents can look at school in a new light. No more faking sick for kids who have been bullied, no more tears and sleepless nights. Instead kids can go back to looking forward to the first day of school. Sleepless nights as a result of excitement over seeing their friends, going to track and field meets and pizza day, rather than sleepless nights because of worry and anxiety about the bully who teases them daily.

This law will give children the support they deserve, showing them that we are here to protect them and the government, communities, school boards and teachers won’t tolerate bullying any longer. Children, youth and teenagers might finally feel a sense of security at school.

Many parents may be skeptical. What can a law do to protect my child? But this is a step in the right direction. For so long individuals have ignored bullying and looked at as a sign of growing up. But because of the many people who have stood up recently in an effort to talk about bullying and educate people on the long-term damage it can do to a child it is now being seen as a serious problem. Something worth putting a stop to.

Bullying is not something that can be shrugged off anymore. Every school must comply with the bill regardless of whether they are public or Catholic. Not only will bullies be disciplined, but the negative behavior can be corrected before it escalates.

Children everywhere have the right to be safe in our schools. With this new law we are making it clear that all forms of bullying will not be tolerated.

I’ll be watching closely to see this bill in action.  Do you think schools will be free of bullying with the pass of this law?