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Report
Sexual Orientation Enumeration in State Antibullying Statutes in the United States
Associations with bullying, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among youth
January 2019
- Overview
- Highlights
- Report
In the U.S, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws aimed at reducing bullying. Currently, 20 states and the District of Columbia have enumerated anti-bullying laws that explicitly prohibit harassment and victimization of students based on sexual orientation.
Highlights
Anti-bullying laws that explicitly protect youth based on sexual orientation are associated with fewer suicide attempts among all youth.
Enumeration of sexual orientation was associated with fewer experiences of stressors, such as feeling unsafe at school.
Fewer youth attempted suicide in states with inclusive anti-bullying laws but disparities exist between sexual minority youth and their peers.