Relational Aggression In Schools

Relational aggression in students can lead to higher incidences of early parenthood, school drop-outs, substance abuse, criminal behavior and school delinquency. According to the National Education Association, 160,000 children miss school each day out of fear of being tormented by their classmates.

According to a 2002 Safe Schools Initiative report by the U.S. Secret Service, "two-thirds of perpetrators in recent school shooting incidents described feeling persecuted, bullied or threatened by their peers."

The Ophelia Project's national relational aggression study now includes data for nearly 2,000 students across the country. Research demonstrates that 27%, or more than one in four students, do not feel emotionally safe at school, thus indicating the need for significant changes within our nation's schools and communities.