Putting an End to Bullying in American Schools

Founded in 1999 with a mission to keep children safe and strengthen families, Love Our Children USA has since become the the leading non-profit organization preventing all forms of mistreatment and violence against the youth. Throughout its history, Love Our Children USA has created programs designed to empower kids and families. In 2005, the charity launched STOMP Out Bullying, an anti-bullying and cyberbullying initiative for kids and teens, in response to the urgent need to address this growing problem. The popularity of the Internet, unfortunately, has given bullies new ways to harass their fellow students.

The goal of STOMP Out Bullying is to stop both offline and online bullying in schools and communities across America. By teaching bullies against racism, hatred, homophobia, and other issues, the program aims to reduce incidences of school violence and absences. STOMP Out Bullying also reaches out to bullied students by educating them on effective ways of responding to harassment, through its website and in-school programs. For children and teens who need someone to talk to and/or are at risk of suicide, a hotline and online chat portal have been set up as well.

In addition, STOMP Out Bullying serves as an educational resource for parents and school administrators, as they, too, play important roles in such situations. The initiative has garnered the support of celebrities, and its global ambassadors include JoJo, Lance Bass, and Emily Osment, all of whom have participated in STOMP Out Bullying PSA's.

Recently, Love Our Children USA started the annual Blue Shirt Day as a grassroots movement to STOMP Out Bullying. The objective of the campaign, which takes place every October, is to increase awareness about bullying and give hope to every student who has experienced violence at school. Blue was the selected color as it represents peace in many cultures.