Contact: Kelly Skindzelewski, WITI FOX 6, 414-586-2210

In April 2004 more than 13,000 students at 63 different middle and high schools in southeastern Wisconsin, including 22 Archdiocese of Milwaukee schools, participated in the FOX 6 Bully Project survey. The results have been tabulated and document the scope of bullying in area schools.

"For too many years the schoolyard bully was so often dismissed as a minor hazard in the education environment for kids," said Dave Prothero, Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Milwaukee. "These results will provide meaningful strategies for educators and parents to support our children, especially those who are most vulnerable on all sides of this damaging behavior.”

The FOX 6 Bully Project survey, comprised of over 40 questions, showed that nine out of ten students who completed the survey in southeastern Wisconsin saw at least one act of bullying at school in the past 30 days. On average, students saw at least three acts of bullying in the past 30 days.

One in four students surveyed said they have been bullied at school or on their way to/from school. At the same time, 37%, or one in three students say they have bullied another student at their school. When asked where bullying takes place, bullying victims most frequently responded in a classroom (27%) or in a school hallway (24%).

Of the more than 500 teachers surveyed, 78% think bullying is a problem at their school with 52% saying they do not think their school does a good job in preventing and stopping bullying.

"Now that we have a better understanding of the problem, we plan to work with these schools to explore solutions," stated Bob Segall FOX 6 News Investigative Reporter and Bully Project Coordinator. "We are working with local and national experts, and plan to help facilitate the process. A lot of this work will begin at the start of the next school year."

FOX 6 launched The Bully Project after a two-month investigative news story that showed bullying on school playgrounds. The award-winning story generated tremendous reaction from parents and schools encouraging FOX 6 to take a leadership role in this community issue.

"The issue of bullying is an extremely important one for young people today and so we are especially pleased to be participating in this critical FOX 6 project," said Linda Flashinski, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Racine Unified School District. "It is our hope that participation in this project will contribute toward our efforts at providing the safest and healthiest environment possible for our students."

Steve Fernan, Education Specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction, has reviewed the survey and stated that in Wisconsin, there is nothing that approaches this study on the topic of harassment and school bullying. He added, that it's much broader than anything else he'd seen in this area.

National experts have also been involved in FOX 6's efforts. "FOX's landmark survey marks a turning point in our understanding of bullying. If schools implement changes inspired by these results, I'm confident we'll have less kids crying themselves to sleep in this community," states Jodee Blanco, author of the New York Times best-selling book Please Stop Laughing At Me and special consultant to the FOX 6 Bully Project.

More than 18,000 surveys were distributed to 63 middle and high schools of Milwaukee Public Schools, Racine Unified Schools, Kenosha Unified Schools, and Archdiocese Schools of Milwaukee. Surveys were completed in numerous communities including Pewaukee, Cudahy, Big Bend, Mukwonago, Greendale, West Allis, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Oak Creek, Menomonee Falls, Cedarburg and Mequon.

Segall said that FOX 6 would continue to report on this issue and track the success of their partner schools.

More information about the FOX 6 Bully Project and the complete survey results can be found on the FOX 6 web site. Results were tabulated by the Center for Urban Initiatives and Research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

WITI FOX 6 is part of the nation's largest owned-and-operated network broadcast group, Fox Television Stations, Inc. consisting of 35 stations in 26 markets covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes.

Results of the survey may be reprinted / summarized provided WITI FOX 6 is credited as the source. Results included are compiled from all surveys returned.

Additional resources for comments about bullying or The Bully Project:

• Dr. Tony Meyer, Director, Medical College of Wisconsin, Child Psychology Department, 414-454-6609
• Jodee Blanco, author of the New York Times best-selling book PLEASE STOP LAUGHING AT ME, 312-961-3430
• Steve Fernan, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 608-266-3889
• Wendi Heuermann, Project Ujima, 414- 266-2557