WHEREAS, bullying is the aggressive use of power targeting another person or group of people with repeated, unwanted words or action, hurting them emotionally or physically; and

WHEREAS, bullying occurs in neighborhoods, playgrounds, schools, and online through technology; and

WHEREAS,  various researchers have concluded that bullying is the most common form of violence, affecting millions of American children and adolescents annually; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Nevada children and adolescents are affected by bullying annually; and

WHEREAS, targets of bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school and students who are repeatedly bullied often fear such activities as riding the bus, going to school, interacting online, and attending community activities; and

WHEREAS, children who bully are at greater risk of engaging in more serious violent behaviors; and

WHEREAS, children who witness bullying often feel less safe, helpless to stop it, and intimidated; and

WHEREAS, Nevada schools, students, parents, recreation programs, religious institutions, businesses, and community organizations are encouraged to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities designed to make our communities safer for all children and adolescents;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2023 as

BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH IN NEVADA