LANSING, Mich. –– A violent, premeditated attack on a high school girl in Wayland has fueled State Senator Glenn S. Anderson’s drive to pass Matt’s Safe School Law, which would protect Michigan’s school children from social torment.

“As adults and lawmakers, we have a responsibility to provide safe learning environments where our children can grow, learn, and succeed. No child should be afraid to go to school,” said Sen. Anderson. “There is no place for bullying behavior in Michigan’s school systems, and it’s high time that we pass this law to protect our kids.”

Last week, two teen girls attacked a female classmate in a Wayland High School hallway, repeatedly punching the 14-year-old victim. The attack appears to have been premeditated, and the incident was intentionally recorded on another student's digital camera. Police believe the skirmish and subsequent posting to the YouTube, MySpace and TinyPic Web sites were meant to further humiliate the victim. Allegan County authorities are currently in the process of determining what charges they plan to seek against the two girls.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10% are bullied on a regular basis. Under Matt’s Safe School Law, schools would be required to implement a bullying policy that defines the behavior and puts in place a policy that outlines the consequences of such behavior. This updated version of the bill also extends the policy to internet bullying.

Sen. Anderson is the sponsor of Matt’s Safe School Law, SB 107, which is awaiting action in the Senate Education Committee.

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