Nassau County Passes Measure To Make Anti-Bullying Website

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will create a county-operated website with anti-bullying information, along with resources for kids and their families.

The bill was sponsored by Legislator Joshua Lafazan, of Woodbury, and was unanimously approved by the Legislature during its meeting on July 9. Under the new law, the website will be operational before the start of the 2018-19 school year.

“When a young person is being bullied, their families might not know where to turn or how to seek relief. This new website will ensure that critical, potentially life-saving resources are just a click away,” Lafazan said. “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their support and proud to stand with County Executive Curran in this effort to make Nassau County schools safer places for all students to reach their maximum potential.”

Under the new law, the website will include information on the definitions of bullying, explanations of different types of bullying, guidance for spotting bullying and bullies and prevention resources. It will also contain resources for children who are being bullied because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The website must be live by Aug. 31, be updated regularly and contain the names and contact information for each Nassau County school district’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) school coordinator.

In addition, the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) has pledged $10,000 to a public-service announcement promoting NassauStopBullying.org, said Joseph A. Salamone, Executive Director of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying.

“There is no excuse for bullying,” said Curran. “And bullying can happen anywhere, at any time. That is why it is so important that we do all we can to protect our youth while educating our children, parents, educators and communities on bullying prevention."

Photo courtesy Nassau County