The State of Connecticut has enacted numerous laws to prevent bullying and harassment, and to prohibit discrimination of children in our schools. Indeed, just two years ago the state passed new laws to strengthen the old ones, as those had utterly failed to stop the behavior. The new law, "An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws" (PA 11-232), required the creation of Safe School Climate Plans focused on the quality and character of school life to address the existence of bullying; Student Safety Support Plans for students against whom bullying was directed; and regular reporting obligations. However, the law appears to have had little impact in protecting our children. Indeed, it has been widely reported that the Connecticut Commission on Children continues to get calls from parents about unresponsive school officials and, even worse, school officials who seem reluctant to implement the new law.
There have been so many complaints to the Department of Education and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) that Robert J. Brothers Jr., who until his recent retirement was the executive director of the CHRO, was compelled to send an open letter to school principals, superintendents and PTA/PTO presidents, reiterating that bullying, harassment and discrimination are illegal in our state and that "as parents, teachers and administrators, you have both the ability and obligation to prevent bullying and its harmful effects." A link to that letter is prominently highlighted in the center of the CHRO's home page.
