Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Middle School: Step Up. Step In.
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Middle School: Step Up. Step In.

Bebe Zazzaro | January 24, 2013 | 299 views
We are excited to welcome the Sexual Assault Center of NWGA to Thatcher Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 30, to launch the “Step Up. Step In.” campaign against sexual bullying with students in grades 5-8. This program, which is tailored specifically to the audience’s age level, was launched in grades 9-12 on Jan. 23.

You have probably heard the term “sexting,” which alludes to sending dirty messages and/or photos using a cell phone. Well, that is actually a type of sexual bullying. “Step Up. Step In.” seeks to bring awareness to students ages 12-15 about what sexual bullying actually is and what to do if they experience or witness it happening to someone else. Sexual bullying can be broken down into various types – for example, harassment and name calling, obscene messages, dirty images and pictures, spreading rumors, touching others and physical violence.

Nearly 40% of boys and 56% of girls experience at least one incident of sexual bullying, whether it is at school or otherwise. During a recent focus group with middle school and high school boys in Georgia, results showed that most of them believe touching and grabbing to be normal, age-appropriate behavior. Additionally, in 2010-11 48% of seventh- and eighth-graders in Georgia noted that they experienced some form of sexual harassment. Unfortunately, however, 91% of harassed youth don’t report their experience to teachers, counselors or other adults at school. 
 
Sponsored by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault and the Department of Public Health, “Step Up. Step In.” is currently in its pilot phase. Only four centers in the state have been selected to launch the program in their areas, with Rome’s center being one of them. Darlington is proud to be among the first schools to bring this important program to our students. As you know, we are committed to educating the whole child. And though some of these behaviors may not actually be happening at our school, we want our students to be prepared if and when they experience or witness it.

Thank you for allowing your child the opportunity to Step Up and Step In. Please contact me with any questions you may have.