Abstract
Abstract of THE EFFECTS OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY ON CRIMINAL PEER ABUSE by Valinda Frost Known commonly as “bullying”, criminal peer abuse is a serious problem in our schools and the most common form of violence in our society. Across the country researchers have found that 75% or more of all students suffer from some form of peer abuse. Children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, are left susceptible to criminal behavior without the protection of the criminal justice system even though sections of criminal, civil and education codes were specifically designed for students’ protection. Further, enforcement of behavioral codes in public education is given with virtual autonomy to school district administrators by the California Education Code. Further, this study explores the workings of policies in the educational and legal systems concerning the protection of students’ civil rights with regard to criminal peer abuse. Laws are designed and exist to protect children but are ineffective for victims of criminal peer abuse due to fragmented and equivocal political, educational, and legal systems as well as cultural and family systems that tolerate and promote violence.