Bullying

Kaitlin's platform, That's Enough! Coming Together to End Bullying, advocates the importance of a community commitment to end bullying.  Kaitlin works with audiences of all ages to discuss the individual and societal effects of bullying, abuse, and harassment.  She also serves as a strategist to help match schools and organizations with the best in anti-bullying resources.

Experiencing bullying firsthand and growing up alongside two siblings with disabilities who became regular targets of peer torment - including her sisters loss of a college degree because of a bullying professor - fuels Kaitlin's passion for this cause.

Kaitlin's involvement as Miss New York in the fight against bullying has included the following projects and initiatives:

  • Launched Project Empower, a non-profit initiative to end bullying through personal and professional development in youth - read more
  • Founded first state petition for cyberbullying laws in New York- read more
  • Launched Cyberbully Census with State Senator Jeffery Klein - read more
  • Partnered with Senator Klein to pass cyberbullying legislation in 2012
  • Official spokesperson and partner with Parry AftabWe're Kickin ItTeenangelsSTOPCyberbullyingWiredSafetyAll About Bullies, Big and Small
  • Speaking tour at schools throughout New York State
  • Appeared on MSNBC - read more
  • Mentoring students with school and community anti-bullying projects
  • Working with New York State School Boards Assoc. on the implementation of Dignity For All Students Act
  • Numerous media and public appearances promoting anti-bullying education and awareness

Learn more about these initiatives to see how you can get involved with Kaitlin's work.

SCHOOL TOUR

During Kaitlin's fall 2011 school bullying tour, Kaitlin spoke at schools across the state to discuss how students can tackle bullying through leadership. This spring she will continue to travel and speak at schools, organizations, and with civil and professional foundations about bullying awareness and resources.  Join the movement to end bullying in New York by inviting Kaitlin to work with your audience.


HELPING INDIVIDUALS

Kaitlin is working one-on-one with students and parents across the state to handle individual issues of bullying and cyberbullying, offering her connections within the industry to bring effective solutions into the lives of students and schools who have asked for her help.  Each case is anonymous, discussed only between Kaitlin and those involved.  Kaitlin currently works with nearly a dozen individuals throughout New York and neighboring areas.

If you or someone you know would like to talk to Kaitlin about bullying, 
contact her directly at missny2011@missny.org

ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN PROJECT

This November, Kaitlin had 1,200+ students design school anti-bullying campaigns. The policies, designed on posters to be displayed around school grounds, were implemented by the participant schools as the official bullying policy for all students.

By empowering students to be the leaders on the issue, schools are able to see quick changes in social patterns among students.

To bring Kaitlin to your school to help students design custom bullying campaigns, contact: schools@missny.org


JOIN THE MOVEMENT: SIGN THE PETITION

Kaitlin has started a state-wide petition to bring Cyberbullying legislation to the floor in Albany.  With the rapid growth of social media and digital communication technology, we must keep up with the proper legal tools to protect children, teens and families dealing with online attacks from their peers.

The September tragedy of Buffalo's own Jamey Rodemeyer serves as a grave reminder of an all too common trend in our nation.

She has started the petition, now it is your turn. Let your voice be heard in honor of all children and teens who felt the only solution was suicide.  Help us protect our youth.

Since launching the petition, Kaitlin has received over 3,000 signatures from individuals around the world.


PARTNERSHIP WITH SENATOR JEFFREY KLEIN
 
On September 27th, Senator Jeffrey Klein and the Independent Democratic Conference of New York introduced a new cyberbullying bill and began work on a state-wide education effort to tackle this issue.

In response to Kaitlin's petition, Senator Klein invited Kaitlin to become part of his effort, releasing the following statement:
 
“I applaud Miss Monte's continued efforts to raise awareness of the devastating effects of cyberbullying and her most recent call to action that there ought to be a law that protects victims from unrelenting attacks and invasions from cyberbullies - I'm crafting legislation in the State Senate to do just that. We do not need another tragedy to prove that words can kill. I've signed my name to Katlin Monte's petition and encourage all New Yorkers to do the same,  so that together, we hold bullies accountable for their actions.”
 
On October 13th Kaitlin joined Senator Klein and Assemblyman Scarborough for a press conference announcing the launch of the New York Cyberbully Census.

The project aims to generate contemporary statistics about the presence and nature of online bullying in New York.  It is the first of it's kind and was designed through a partnership with leading internet safety specialist and WiredSafety founder Parry Aftab.

Students across the state can log on and anonymously answer 20 questions about their experience with online bullying. The information will be used to help lawmakers craft an effective response to the issue, as well as organize support programs and education events.

Kaitlin has brought awareness of the census to schools statewide and has served as a primary spokesperson and contributor for the effort.  She is responsible for connecting Klein with the New York State School Boards Association.

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT

Kaitlin has recruited some of the nation's top anti-bullying organizations to design custom curriculum for schools across New York State as part of the new Dignity For All Students Act, a new law requiring schools to train teachers on bullying, it's prevention and proper response tactics.  She initiated a partnership with the New York State School Boards Association to help guide schools through the implementation process of this new policy.