Few parents are aware that 15-20 percent of children are victimized by bullies. This includes taunting, kicking, hitting, sexual harassment, and stealing. The effects are devastating for some kids, including loss of self-esteem, reduction in school grades and poor attendance in class. Some students have even thought of suicide. There are some differences in how girls bully versus how boys bully.
Boys tend to be more physical in their bullying, while girls often resort to verbal assaults.
Be aware that girls have a capacity to be just as physically violent as boys. Bullying is found in rural and city schools. It is found among the rich and the poor. It is found among all races and creeds. Part of the problem is a serious underrating of the frequency or seriousness of the problem.