In most Georgia schools, bullying is not tolerated. In Georgia, any school district that expects to receive state funds must adopt a policy prohibiting bullying. Visit your child's school. Ask the school administrator to see the school policy on bullying. Look around the school. The policy should be posted for all students to see.

In middle and high school, this policy must also be written in the code of conduct and distributed to all students and parents. Parents or guardian must acknowledge they received the school code of conduct by signing the receipt code and returning it to the school.

The code must be followed. Any middle or high school student found to be bullying a third time in a school year, must be removed from the school and reassigned to an alternative school. All Georgia K-12 schools that expect to receive state funding must discourage bullying and have character education programs that educate students about bullying.

The Way Kids Bully
Bruises and black eyes are easy to spot, but it isn't always easy to define bullying behavior. Disregard the notion that bullying is a problem mainly among boys. Both boys and girls bully. Boys will tend to be more physical with their bullying behavior and girls will tend to inflict more emotional and psychological pain.

• In Georgia, bullying is defined as "Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person.. or any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm."
• Cyber Bullies: will use technology to harass their victims at all hours, in wide circles, at lightning speed through email, instant messaging, and Internet chat rooms. They will also use electronic gadgets like camera cell phones to forward and spread hurtful images and/or messages about their victims.

• Emotional Bullies: use the tactics of isolating, excluding, or shunning a child from activities. Emotional bullies will also spread rumors. This kind of bullying can be more subtle and is more common among girls.
• Physical Bullies: will kick, pinch, bite, pull hair, hit, or threaten physical harm. Physical bullying can accompany verbal bullying.
• Racist Bullies: prey on children who are different and will use racial slurs, offensive gestures, or make jokes about a child's culture or traditions.
• Sexual Bullies: will make inappropriate comments and may involve unwanted physical contact or sexually abuse. Some districts have a more in depth policy on sexual harassment among students.
• Verbal Bullies: will use name calling, incessant mocking, and laughing at a child's expense.

These laws also include disrespect of teachers, school bus drivers, school personnel, and administrators through verbal and physical assault, disrespectful conduct, and vulgar or profane language.

Statutory References: GA CODE ANN. 20-2-145, 20-2-751.4, 20-2-751.5