All students, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or physical appearance have the right to feel safe and secure in school. However, students are teased and bullied in schools all over the world.

We all want to belong and feel appreciated by our friends. This is why it is often so difficult for people to speak up when they have done something wrong. It is easier to go along with the crowd; most of us remain bystanders when bullying takes place. The people around us actually reward us in different ways for such behavior.

In 2001, 30% of American youth reported being involved in some type of bullying, as a victim or perpetrator, or both. Because not everybody reports bullying, the real numbers are even higher.

Bullying has many negative consequences, including loneliness, trouble making friends, frustration, aggression, lack of concentration, and bad grades. Many victims of violence can become withdrawn or seek revenge. In extreme cases, this has led to suicide and murder.

All of us have choices to make, sometimes very difficult ones, when we see people getting hurt or teased because they are different in some way.