According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 5 out of 22 students have been bullied. Consider what that means in a typical Bridgewater College class.

If 7 out of 22 students have committed actions of bullying, then more students are bullies than are being bullied. That means bullies are ganging up versus acting alone.

Given the frequency of 15 out of 22 students witnessing others being bullied, why does bullying still go on? Bystanders are often scared to step up because they are afraid that they will be bullied as well.

Bystanders need to help get the student who is being bullied away from those tormenting them. Once they do this, they need to talk with the individual and let them know that someone else can see what they are going through and that they are cared for.