Utah may soon have new bullying policy

Bullies beware: The state may soon have a new policy targeting bullying and hazing — and it will put athletes under special scrutiny.

The State Board of Education unanimously approved a second reading of its proposed policy Friday. The final vote will come next month.

The driving force for the action is the ever-increasing incidents of bullying and hazing across Utah, especially with athletes, State Board officials say. According to the board agenda "at least one high school community has experienced very serious bullying and hazing among students in its football program this past summer despite a state law that was passed."

A source told the Deseret News the hazing incidents from this past summer occurred at Brighton High School, with football players allegedly hazing younger teammates.

Canyons School District spokeswoman Jennifer Toomer-Cook said that while the district did receive a report of hazing, she would not identify the school or talk about the incident. Phone messages left Friday to Brighton High's athletic director and football coach were not returned.

"We have made it clear, to our administrators and coaches, Canyons has a zero tolerance policy on any type of hazing, harassment and bullying," Toomer-Cook said.

Since 2000, hazing incidents — sometimes involving sexual violence — have been reported across the state. In one incident at East High School in 2007, three football players were arrested and charged in juvenile court after police said they held down other players and committed sex acts on them.

"We think we've made such great progress. It's 2009. But we are still having the same old-fashioned bullying," said Carol Lear, attorney for the State Office of Education. She advised the board's Law and Policy Committee on the proposed policy.

"It seems to be more of a problem with athletes," Lear said.

State rule currently includes an anti-bullying and hazing section in its discipline standards. The board's action, if finalized, will result in new rules that specifically address any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking; placing of a harmful substance on the body and exposure to the elements; social aggression, such as spreading rumors, calling names and intimidation; the forced consumption of any food, liquor or drug; and cyberbullying, which could include using the Internet or cell phones to harass or intimidate.

School districts and charter schools are required to implement a bullying and hazing policy and to train educators to be proactive in responding to bullying and hazing. There will also be new reporting and intervention procedures.