When & why kids are being bullied in RI

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - A bullying incident back in March in Woonsocket brought national attention to the problem of bullying within Rhode Island schools.

Now, a newly released report, reveals how much bullying occurs in our schools and the reasons why students are being bullied.

The report, which questions students anonymously, found that 57 percent of students statewide report being bullied.

• Report: Student reports of bullying by school

Patrick McGuigan is the Executive Director of Providence Plan. He says, "People are afraid to come out and be public about it. This is a way for people to tell their story without putting themselves in any jeopardy, but where adults get good information."

The data was collected through Survey Works who issued questionnaires to students in grades 4-12.

The interactive online report allows people to scroll through and examine the extent of the problem, the types of bullying such as cyberbullying; one of out ten students reported this, and teasing, which is the most prevalent at 40 percent.

Researchers would not tell Eyewitness News which public school has the highest incidence of bullying, but did say that city schools had the lowest.