Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Supporting the implementation of the City of Madison anti-bullying policy.
Body
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 20% of youth experience bullying by their peers and the National Education Association estimates that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students; and,
WHEREAS, youth who experience bullying are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, have increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, and lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed; and,
WHEREAS, marginalized youth experience bullying at a much higher rate than other youth do; and,
WHEREAS, according to Mental Health America, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) youth or those youth who are perceived to be LGBT are more than twice as likely to be called names, verbally harassed, or physically assaulted compared to non-LGBT peers; and,
WHEREAS, a study by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network finds that 9 out of 10 LGBT youth reported being verbally harassed due to their sexual orientation, and the same study finds that 75% of transgender students feel unsafe in school; and,
WHEREAS, research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute of Health, respectively, indicates that children with disabilities and special needs and immigrant children are more likely to experience bullying by their peers; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is committed to uplifting its youngest residents with meaningful and impactful programming and robust recreational and educational opportunities through which children can express their creativity, develop skills, engage in sports, and explore career opportunities; and,
WHEREAS, the City strives to offer spaces and programming for youth to feel safe and welcomed regardless of who they are, how they identify, or where they come from; and,
WHEREAS, Madison General Ordinance 39.03 protects against the discrimination of residents, visitors, and workers based on sex, race, religion or atheism, color, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, handicap/disability, marital status, source of income, arrest record, conviction record, credit history, less than honorable discharge, physical appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, political beliefs, familial status, student status, domestic partner status, receipt of rental assistance, the fact that the person declines to disclose their social security number, homelessness or unemployment status; and,
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the City provide quality programming in a safe and healthy environment to all children regardless of their association with any of the aforementioned protected classes; and,
WHEREAS, the City has written Administrative Procedural Memorandum (APM) --3-22 - Anti-Bullying; which prohibits bullying, harassment, and intimidation in all youth-serving City services, activities, programs, properties and facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor recently signed APM 3-22;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council supports the creation of APM 3-22, which protects the dignity and safety of youth served by the City of Madison.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Common Council recognizes that these are first steps toward creating a city that is inclusive and welcoming to youth and that reaching that vision will require continued efforts.