Components of Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Prohibiting statement | No |
| Definition | No |
| Scope | No |
| Protected groups | No |
| District policy requirement | Yes |
| Reporting and investigations | No |
| Consequences | No |
| Communication of policy | Yes |
| Safeguards and supports | No |
| Review and update of local policies | Yes |
| Prevention education | Yes |
| Staff training | Yes |
| Parent engagement | No |
Which U.S. Virgin Islands laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Virgin Islands Code 17 VIC §780. Purpose
- Virgin Islands Code 17 VIC §781. Legislative findings; Intent
- Virgin Islands Code 17 VIC §782. Definitions
- Virgin Islands Code 17 VIC §783. Implementation
- Virgin Islands Code 17 VIC §784. Effective date
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations?
U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations do include definitions of prohibited conduct.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
No. U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
U.S. Virgin Islands school districts must create and maintain a policy on bullying. U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws do not specify content of school district policies but do require that school districts communicate policies on bullying to students and their parents or guardians on an annual basis.
U.S. Virgin Islands school districts must update policies every two years and file bullying policies with the Board for implementation monitoring.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws or regulations.
U.S. Virgin Islands schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. U.S. Virgin anti-bullying laws require each district to make suitable provisions for instruction in bullying prevention and gang resistance education and training in all grades and to incorporate bullying prevention and gang resistance education and training into conflict resolution education.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. U.S. Virgin anti-bullying laws require each district to make suitable provisions for instruction in bullying prevention and gang resistance education and training. U.S. Virgin anti-bullying laws also direct the Department of Education to assist in the development of instructional materials and training for all school personnel in relation to bullying prevention and gang resistance education and training.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. U.S. Virgin anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do U.S. Virgin Islands anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
No. U.S. Virgin anti-bullying laws do not create expectations for parent involvement in addressing bullying.
For More Information
Visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education webpage.
The key component framework used in the analysis of state laws is based on the review of legislation presented in the “Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies – December 2011” (U.S. Department of Education).