Forced Sex, Bullying on the Rise at WHS

By Diandra Sanphy

Hampton resident

The results of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveal there is still a lot of work to be done to help students at risk.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey is given every two years to students in participating high schools throughout the State of New Hampshire. The survey was taken by 1,021 students in grades 9 through 12 at in April 2011. The data is considered highly accurate.

Winnacunnet High School social worker Tally Westerberg presented the results Tuesday to an audience of parents, students, faculty, and school board members from Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton and Seabrook. 

While Westerberg reported some areas saw decreases or remained flat, several areas of the YRBS saw significant increases. The following is a breakdown of some of these areas:

• Question 11 — Number of students who rode one or more times in the past 30 days in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol: 25.2 percent, or 257 students.
• Question 13 — Percent of students who carried a gun, knife, or club on school property during the past 30 days: 12.5 percent, or 128 students.
• Question 15 — Percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months: 25.2 percent, or 257 students.
• Question 20 — Percentage of students who have ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to: 7.1 percent, or 73 students.
• Question 21 — Percentage of students who have been bullied on school property in the past 12 months: 25.6 percent, or 261 students.
• Question 26 — Percentage of students who actually attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months: 6.4 percent, or 65 students.
• Question 70 — Percentage of students who most of the time or always go hungry because there is not enough food in the home: 15.2 percent, or 155 students.

These are just a few of the 100 questions asked in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It goes without saying that these are serious issues that must be addressed. 

These issues affect every school and every community, no school or community is immune to these issues. That being said, the Winnacunnet School Board and administration appear ready to take immediate action on these issues. 

Some of the measures discussed in addressing these issues was the addition of a full-time substance abuse counselor to provide services to students with drug and alcohol issues, as well as planned discussions with local service agencies to offer solutions to the number of students facing hunger are already taking place.

Instructor Stacy Kramer also gave a brief overview of the Olweus bullying prevention program after the presentation of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the Winnacunnet School Board and district administration agreed to look into that program further.

Board Chairwoman Maria Brown and Hampton Rep. Denyse Richter suggested Kramer present the Olweus bullying prevention program to the School Administrative Unit 21 Joint Board at one of their upcoming meetings.  

There are also plans to discuss these findings on Feb. 21 in a town hall-style meeting, although no time has been announced for that session. In the meantime, the administration, along with the school guidance department and Westerberg will continue to look at ways to improve student health and safety issues. 

While there is currently grant funding for some programs such as substance abuse, bullying and suicide prevention, many of these grants and the organizations that provide them may be cut due to the economic times, according to district officials.   

It is more important than ever that parents, students, faculty and concerned community members keep these issues in the spotlight and do whatever we can to provide the children of this community with opportunities for healthier, safer and more successful lives.

Information on the 2011 Winnacunnet Youth Risk behavior Survey is available online at www.winnacunnet.org.