One of the most challenging situations many children have to face in schools today is bullying. When allowed to go unchecked, bullying can create an unsafe atmosphere for everyone in the entire classroom. Social media has allowed bullies to traumatize their victims relentlessly and unchecked.

When there is no support given or support is given too late, many children end up hurting themselves. Some of them even commit suicide. New laws aim to help victims.

Bullying Victims Feel Helpless

Many victims feel that they have nowhere to turn. They may reach out to the school or to their parents for support, and if they don't get it, many of them turn to desperate measures.

Getting bullied is difficult enough, but being bullied and then having neither the school nor the parents of the bullies do anything about it is extraordinarily demoralizing. In the past, parents faced no consequences when their children got in trouble for bullying other children. With this law, parents are going to be held accountable.

New Jersey already has extremely tough anti-bullying laws on the books, but parents of bullies are now facing increased penalties if they neglect to handle their kids who are bullies.

Mallory's Law Helps Victims of Bullying

Governor Phil Murphy has signed a law called “Mallory’s Law.” It's named after a 12-year-old girl from Rockaway named Mallory Grossman. Mallory committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied by her schoolmates. The law requires schools and officials in the county to handle bullying before it becomes out of control. It puts the responsibility of identifying and eliminating bullying on the backs of parents, educators, and districts. It demands that these entities create a safe place for children to learn.

Schools Must Officially Document Instances of Bullying

Mallory's Law requires school districts to report all instances of bullying and harassment experienced by students. They must also report any consequences of that bullying.

This means that if a student leaves the school because of bullying or if the student commits suicide because of bullying, that school must record that information.

Parents Face Increased Penalties

Parents of bullies must also attend court-ordered cyber-harassment classes and anti-bullying classes. If they refuse to do so, they will be facing penalties of up to $500. They originally only had to pay $25. The hopes are that with these increased fees, parents of bullies will begin to take the problem seriously and do whatever it takes to prevent their children from bullying other students. This does the all-important job of protecting the victims and getting the bullies the help they need to stop the behavior.

Get Legal Help For Your Bullying Case

Bullying is one of the most difficult parts of high school. It puts extreme stress on the victims, and new laws make things extremely tough for schools, administrators, parents of bullies, and the bullies as well. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience handling student discipline and juvenile justice cases in New Jersey and across the United States, and they works hard to make sure that their clients get all the support they need to move forward with their lives.

Reach out for help at 888-535-3686 today to schedule an evaluation of your case. Protect your child's future.