The National Education Association (NEA), CBS Sunday Morning and Actress Megan Mullally have joined The Tyler Clementi Foundation (TCF) in launching #Day1, a major national initiative to end online and offline bullying in schools, workplaces and sports programs.

#day1

TCF was founded in 2010 in memory of the family’s son/brother after he took his own life following a cyber-bullying episode at Rutgers University that sparked a national conversation. #Day1 is the foundation’s next phase of action and emphasises bullying prevention.

More than 3.2 million students identify as victims of bullying each year, and bullying is linked to truancy, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. Clear,early leadership on bullying can reduce a host of negative educational, professional and psychological outcomes. #Day1 is an innovative, research-based intervention program, based on the principle that prevention is better than remediation. #Day1 is not just about awareness; it’s about taking action.

Through #Day1, TCF renews its vigour in urging students, educators, youth-serving professionals, sports teams, social institutions (such as fraternities and sororities), workplaces and other groups to prevent bullying, harassment and humiliation by completing the Upstander Pledge.  This pledge is a commitment to taking a personal stand to intervene or report cruelty whenever and wherever it is witnessed.

“We are proud to launch #Day1, kicking off another chapter in our ongoing and tireless efforts to prevent other young adults and their families from suffering the tragedy that befell our family,” said Jane Clementi.  “Turning bystanders into Upstanders will reassure youth suffering in silence that they are not alone. Instead of waiting for a law to pass or the perfect curriculum, we want to provide this tool to empower teachers, bosses and coaches to take action now.”

The success of #Day1 is dependent upon a person in authority making a clear verbal statement early in the tenure of students or workers, expressing what is expected of them – and what behaviour will not be tolerated.  Subsequently, students or workers must confirm that the statement has been understood.

“The Tyler Clementi Center (TCC) at Rutgers University and all of us who support the efforts of The Tyler Clementi Foundation to prevent bullying – both on and off line across the country,” said Richard Edwards, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Chancellor Rutgers–New Brunswick. “We are committed to explore ways in which the #Day1 campaign can be part of an overall strategy in higher education settings to build inclusive and safe community, promote positive campus climate and ensure the well-being of students.”

“The Tyler Clementi Foundation #Day1 campaign is exactly what every school should do to get all of the school members to commit to promoting a positive school climate that is respectful and free from negative interactions and behaviours,” said Dr. Dorothy Espelage, national bullying expert and scholar at University of Illinois, Champaign. “If every school in the U.S. would commit to participate fully in #Day1, then I would consider this a major accomplishment and I would feel that I could retire!”

“I support #Day1 because it protects people who are attacked for looking, acting, feeling or believing differently than others,” said Todd Stiefel, president of Stiefel Freethought Foundation. “We should celebrate our differences and put kindness first.”

Prominentnational sponsors in addition to the NEA — the nation’s largest professional employee organisation with 3 million members working at every level of education – include the Stiefel Freethought Foundation, Barilla America, Workplace Options, and Replacements, Ltd.

A full list of sponsors and campaign partners that support #Day1 will be available at www.Day1campaign.com.  As part of their endorsement for this important campaign, “#Day1Employers” will read the #Day1 script to employees and distribute the pledge in late August.  The official #Day1 script is also available at the site and encourages registration, allowing TCF to track participation around the country.

Tagged:
About the Author

Publishes press/media releases and content for LGBT media outlets.