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Bullying is the systematic and chronic inflicting of physical hurt or psychological distress on another person. The Code of Virginia § 22.1-276.01 defines bullying as “any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and the victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, arguments or peer conflict.”

Cyberbullying refers to bullying by a student(s) towards another through electronic communication. Cyberbullying includes such things as sending mean, vulgar or threatening messages or images; posting sensitive private information about another person; pretending to be someone else in order to humiliate another person; and defamatory online social media websites.

Students are taught about bullying as part of the counseling curriculum using age-appropriate language and examples.

Loudoun County Public Schools implement a county-wide bullying prevention program in all elementary schools to teach students how to identify bullying behavior and appropriate ways to solve possible bullying concerns. LCPS School Counselors provide a Bullying Prevention curriculum (through Second Step) which is delivered to all students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. This evidence-based program provides students with four bullying prevention lessons each year. The lesson focuses on 3R’s, and teaches students how to Recognize, Report, and Refuse bullying behavior. Middle and high school students review general bullying concepts, including the differences between rude, mean and bullying, cyberbullying and healthy relationships and boundaries.

All students have the right to attend school where their individual differences are respected and where they are free of fear of harassment and bullying.  Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) actively uphold and support efforts to prevent harassment and bullying

• Second Step Bullying Prevention Curriculum

• Committee for Children Captain Compassion 

• Kids Against Bullying (Pacer)

• National Crime Prevention Council 

• National Bullying Prevention Center (Pacer)

• PBIS Bullying Prevention 

• Committee for Children Bullying Prevention

• National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning 

• Stop Bullying.gov

• Common Sense Media Cyberbullying