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CdA gets 'eye-opening' report on bullying among students Slurs, harassment common in schools, expe1t says
By Scott Maben scottm@spokesman.com, (208) 758-0260
Coeur d'Alene school leaders are getting a glimpse of how cruelly some students treat each other, including sexual harassment, racial bias, religious intolerance, gaybashing and badgering kids who are overweight, poor or disabled. In a new report prefaced with a warning of offensive language, bullying expert Steve Wessler shares details of candid meetings
he held with almost 300 middle school and high school students last fall. The 14-page report released Friday presents raw anecdotes of bad behavior, from vicious name-calling to physical attacks. "A number of these incidents appear to involve criminal sexual assault or physical assault," Wessler noted. The consultant from Maine has done similar work in schools around the world and cautioned local officials about the gravity of
what might surface in his investigation, Superintendent Matt Handelman said Saturday. "There were certainly things that were eye-opening, but I can't say I was surprised by it," Handelman said. Some of the most troubling details, he said, involve boys groping girls and other demeaning conduct. "I would see guys grab girls' See BULL YING, 82
Public talk Bullying expert Steve Wessler will speak Wednesday on bias, harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence in schools at 7 p.m. at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. The public program is presented by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.