Cendrine Marrouat: Have you noticed differences in the way Canadian and American schools handle the issue of bullying?

Alexandra Penn: Still too many schools are loathe to admit they have a bullying problem.  We know that every school has one. 

It’s difficult to paint the picture using a broad brush, but overall schools in the U.S.are more forthcoming with bullying issues and statistics.  I should mention that in the U.S. today, 1 out of 3 children are bullied.

Launched in 2003 in Toronto, Champions Against Bullying is a non-profit organization that heightens awareness to the issues of school bullying and youth violence across North America. It is my pleasure to feature Alexandra Penn, its founder, and a bullying expert.

Cendrine Marrouat: Hello Alexandra, thank you for answering my questions. As a starter, tell us a little bit about you. 

Alexandra Penn: Hello Cendrine and thank you for your interest in youth violence and the protection of children. I am a mother, writer, editor, special education counsellor, crisis intervention specialist, workshop leader, speaker and founder of Champions Against Bullying.  

Before we move on, I want to acknowledge Leigh Rachel Faith, the organization's very able Director of operations, who among other things, spearheaded our expansion into the U.S.