DOCSLIB.ORG

Scapegoating As an Organizational Escape from Crisis: a Case Study of Merrill Lynch

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Scapegoating As an Organizational Escape from Crisis: a Case Study of Merrill Lynch Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Master's Theses Graduate College 8-2004 Scapegoating as an Organizational Escape from Crisis: A Case Study of Merrill Lynch Jennifer D. Brown Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses Part of the Communication Commons Recommended Citation Brown, Jennifer D., "Scapegoating as an Organizational Escape from Crisis: A Case Study of Merrill Lynch" (2004). Master's Theses. 3988. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3988 This Masters Thesis-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SCAPEGOATING AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL ESCAPE FROM CRISIS: A CASE STUDY OF MERRILL LYNCH by Jennifer D. Brown A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Department of Communication Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan August 2004 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS It is with great pleasure that I write this page, because without each of these people in my life I would have never been able to complete my degree and fulfill my dreams. First to my esteemed advisor, Dr. Keith Hearit, thank you for the imprints you have left on my life over the past two years. Your amazing guidance, faith, and encouragement have helped me to make my work better, for that I am extremely grateful. Thank you for all of the hours you devoted to my thesis and I, both the knowledge and opportunities that you have provided me with will never be forgotten. To my committee, Sue Ellen and Dr. Propp, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to serve on this thesis committee. Your time and energy were greatly appreciated; without your advice, direction, and support I could not have completed my thesis successfully. To my fellow graduate students, who know the frustrations that come with graduate school, thank you for providing me with such amazing support; each of you were always there during the rough times, and not to forget, all the fun. I do not know what I would have done if it was not for those weekly outings, thank you for being such wonderful friends. Last of all I would like to acknowledge my family, thank you Chris, Mindy, Sheryl, and little Emma too. Thank you for always understanding and being there for me, your support and faith has meant the world to me. To my parents, ii Acknowledgments- Continued youbothalwayssaidrootsandwings. Iwantedtothankyouforhelpingto createsuchstrongrootsthatallowedmetosoar. Withoutbothofyounoneof mydreamswouldhaveevercometrue. Tomymom,I especiallywanttothankyouforalwaysbeingtheretojust listenthroughoutmyrollercoasterride,whetherIwasfrustratedorthrilled. Ialso wantedtothankyouforbeingmyparnerontheride. Iknowyoualwaysdidnot havetheanswer, butjusthearingyourvoiceoftentimesgavemethe encouragementtomakethenextstep. Lastbutnotleast,tomydad,thankyoufornaggingme. IneverthoughtI wouldhearmyselfadmitthat,butinthiscaseIappreciatedit. YouknewIhada dreamanditwasyourgoaltonagmeuntilIcompletedit, Iwillneverforgetit. I alsowantyoutoknowhowmuchIappreciateeverythingthatyouhavedonefor me,especiallyjustbeingtheretolistenwhenneedbe. Youareanamazingman withanextremeamountofdetermination,adeterminationthathasshownme that IcandoanythingaslongasIputmymindtoit. IwantyoutoknowthatI findmyselfextremelyluckytohaveyouinmylifeandevenluckiertohaveyouas myfather. Thisculminationofmydegree,mythesis,isdedicatedtoeachofyou. Ifit wasnotforallofyourfriendships,guidance,andfaithImayhavenever, madeit towhereIamtoday. THANKYOU! JenniferD. Brown iii Copyright by Jennifer D. Brown 2004 SCAPEGOATINGASANORGANIZATIONALESCAPEFROMCRISIS: ACASESTUDYOFMERRILLLYNCH JenniferD.Brown,M.A. WesternMichiganUniversity,2004 Thisthesisexaminestheuseofscapegoatingasacommunication strategybyMerrillLynchduringthe2000's. Usingarhetoricalmethod,it exploresthenatureofcrisesandtheimagerestorationattemptbycorporations. Finally,itdrawsanumberofconclusionsabouthoworganizationsshould respondtocrisescommunicativelyandethically. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................ .......................... ii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................1 Crisis ...............................................................................3 Crisis Communication ...........................................................3 Scapegoating .....................................................................4 Case History ......................................................................4 Merrll Lynch .............................................................. 5 Conclusion of Merri Lynch Case Histor....... ..................10 Conclusion .......................................................................11 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................12 Crisis Management ............................................................12 Definitions of a Crisis..................... .............................13 Management of a Crisis ......................................................16 Costs and Benefits of a Crisis ......................................18 Stages of a Crisis ...............................................................19 Crisis Communication Management ......................................21 Corporate Image.... ................................. ......................22 Corporate Image Repair........................... ..................23 iv Table of Contents - Continued CHAPTER Communication Strategies .......................................... 23 Scapegoating......................................................... ........... 27 Research Questions.......................................... ................. 31 Thesis Overiew.................................... ................... 32 Conclusion and Organization............................... ................. 32 Ill. RHETORICAL METHODOLOGY ................................................... 33 Overview of Rhetorical Analysis.............................. .............. 33 Rhetorical Characteristics.................................... ................34 Rhetorical Criticism ............................................................. 38 Methodological Criticism ......................................................41 Generic Method .................................................................42 Generic Descrtion... ................................................ 44 Generic Paricipation... ............................................... 45 Generc Application... ................................................ .45 Generic Analysis of the Merrill Lynch Case............ .................. 46 Conclusion......................................................... ............... 4 7 IV. ANALYSIS................................................................... .............. 48 Generic Criticism of Merrill Lynch ..........................................48 Apologetic Crisis Genre... .......................................... .49 V Table of Content- Continued CHAPTER Fink's Stages of a Crisis and Merrill Lynch.................. ............. 54 Prodromal Stage............ ...........................................55 Acute Stage .............................................................55 Chronic Stage ..........................................................56 Crisis Resolution Stage .............................................. 56 Merrill Lynch's Communication Strategies ............................... 57 Non-Existence Strategy ..............................................58 Ingratiation. Strategy................................. ..................59 Mortification Strategy.............................. ...................60 Distance Strategy ...................................................... 63 Scapegoating Strategy.............. ..................................64 Organization and Conclusion ................................................ 69 V. CONCLUSION .......................................................................70 Merrill Lynch's Communication Strategies ...............................71 Scapegoating as a Response Strategy............. ......................72 Conclusion ........................................................................ 80 BIBLIOGRAPHY............... ................................................................... 81 vi ScapegoatinganOrganizationalEscape 1 CHAPTERI INTRODUCTION Iamsotiredofgettingthesethings. Canwepleaseresetthis stupidpricetargetandripthispieceofjunkofwhateverlistit'son. Ifyouhavetodowngradeit,downgradeit. Soembarrassing. HenryBlodget(Cohen,2002,p.4-7) In2002,regulatorsaccusedtheWallStreetbrokeragehouse, Merrill Lynch,ofwrongdoingbecauseitprovidedinflatedstockratingsinorderto maintainitsimportantinvestmentbankingclients. Theabovecommentwas addressedtoacolleaguebyHenryBlodget, Merrill Lynch'sheadinternetand technologyanalyst,inregardtothestockpurchaseratingsatMerrillLynch. Suchastatementisanexampleofhownormalremarksbyanemployee canprecipitateanorganization'sdownfall. ThisremarkwasusedagainstMerrill LynchbyEliotSpitzer,NewYorkStateAttorneyGeneral, ina10-month investigationofthecorporation. MerrillLynchthenplacedtheblameupona seriesofindividualemployeeswithintheorganizationaferthewrongdoing becamepublic.Inthiscase,oneofthepeopleMerrillLynchtargetedwasHenry
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 Kenneth Burke and the Theory of Scapegoating Charles K. Bellinger Words Sometimes Play Important Roles in Human History. I
    Kenneth Burke and the Theory of Scapegoating Charles K. Bellinger Words sometimes play important roles in human history. I think, for example, of Martin Luther’s use of the word grace to shatter Medieval Catholicism, or the use of democracy as a rallying cry for the American colonists in their split with England, or Karl Marx’s vision of the proletariat as a class that would end all classes. More recently, freedom has been used as a mantra by those on the political left and the political right. If a president decides to go war, with the argument that freedom will be spread in the Middle East, then we are reminded once again of the power of words in shaping human actions. This is a notion upon which Kenneth Burke placed great stress as he painted a picture of human beings as word-intoxicated, symbol-using agents whose motives ought to be understood logologically, that is, from the perspective of our use and abuse of words. In the following pages, I will argue that there is a key word that has the potential to make a large impact on human life in the future, the word scapegoat. This word is already in common use, of course, but I suggest that it is something akin to a ticking bomb in that it has untapped potential to change the way human beings think and act. This potential has two main aspects: 1) the ambiguity of the word as it is used in various contexts, and 2) the sense in which the word lies on the boundary between human self-consciousness and unself-consciousness.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Issues in Victimization Research and the NCVS's Ability To
    Current Issues in Victimization Research and the NCVS’s Ability to Study Them Lynn A. Addington, J.D., Ph.D. Department of Justice, Law and Society American University Prepared for presentation at the Bureau of Justice Statistics Data User’s Workshop, February 12, 2008, Washington, D.C. Introduction and NCVS have played an essential role in shaping what researchers know about victimization as well as providing Thirty-five years have passed since the fielding of the first the national measure of criminal victimization for the National Crime Survey (NCS) and 15 years since its redesign United States.2 For the NCVS to continue in this crucial and emergence as the National Crime Victimization Survey and central role, it should be capable of serving the needs of (NCVS).1 This BJS Data Users Workshop presents a good, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Continuing to and much-needed, opportunity to examine how the survey meet the current needs of these various users of NCVS data has been (and could be) used in its present form as well as may require changes to the survey. to consider possible ways the survey could be changed to explore new issues of concern to victimization researchers. This paper has two primary aims. The first is to provide an Current Trends and Open Issues in overview of the current trends and issues in victimization Victimization Research research. Trends include topics that have attracted research Before examining specific issues, it is useful to place the attention as well as those yet to be fully explored as available current state of victimization research into a larger context.
    [Show full text]
  • When the Truth Hurts: Relations Between Psychopathic Traits
    WHEN THE TRUTH HURTS: RELATIONS BETWEEN PSYCHOPATHIC TRAITS AND THE WILLINGNESS TO TELL VARIED TYPES OF LIES by Dominique Gutierrez, B.S. A thesis submitted to the Graduate Council of Texas State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a Major in Research Psychology May 2021 Committee Members: Katherine Warnell, Chair Randall Osborne Jessica Perrotte COPYRIGHT by Dominique Gutierrez 2021 FAIR USE AND AUTHOR’S PERMISSION STATEMENT Fair Use This work is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, section 107). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of this material for financial gain without the author’s express written permission is not allowed. Duplication Permission As the copyright holder of this work I, Dominique Gutierrez, refuse permission to copy in excess of the “Fair Use” exemption without my written permission. DEDICATION To my brother, who I wish could have read this. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge first my loving parents, without whom I would not have been able to make it this far. Your support of and dedication to me has been a crucial part of my learning and I thank you wholeheartedly. I would also like to acknowledge my friends and cohort for your overwhelming support. There are too many people to list here, but you know who you are. From taking early drafts of my study and nagging me to do homework, to lending an ear when I vented about the drag of school, you have been there for me in too many ways to count.
    [Show full text]
  • Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Psychological Oppression Cynthia A
    The Monist, 2019, 102, 221–235 doi: 10.1093/monist/onz007 Article Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/monist/article-abstract/102/2/221/5374582 by University of Utah user on 11 March 2019 Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Psychological Oppression Cynthia A. Stark* ABSTRACT This paper develops a notion of manipulative gaslighting, which is designed to capture something not captured by epistemic gaslighting, namely the intent to undermine women by denying their testimony about harms done to them by men. Manipulative gaslighting, I propose, consists in getting someone to doubt her testimony by challeng- ing its credibility using two tactics: “sidestepping” (dodging evidence that supports her testimony) and “displacing” (attributing to her cognitive or characterological defects). I explain how manipulative gaslighting is distinct from (mere) reasonable disagree- ment, with which it is sometimes confused. I also argue for three further claims: that manipulative gaslighting is a method of enacting misogyny, that it is often a collective phenomenon, and, as collective, qualifies as a mode of psychological oppression. The term “gaslighting” has recently entered the philosophical lexicon. The literature on gaslighting has two strands. In one, gaslighting is characterized as a form of testi- monial injustice. As such, it is a distinctively epistemic injustice that wrongs persons primarily as knowers.1 Gaslighting occurs when someone denies, on the basis of another’s social identity, her testimony about a harm or wrong done to her.2 In the other strand, gaslighting is described as a form of wrongful manipulation and, indeed, a form of emotional abuse. This use follows the use of “gaslighting” in therapeutic practice.3 On this account, the aim of gaslighting is to get another to see her own plausible perceptions, beliefs, or memories as groundless.4 In what follows, I develop a notion of manipulative gaslighting, which I believe is necessary to capture a social phenomenon not accounted for by epistemic gaslight- ing.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Relational Dysfunction In
    Psychology Research, August 2019, Vol. 9, No.8, 303-318 doi:10.17265/2159-5542/2019.08.001 D DAVID PUBLISHING Understanding Relational Dysfunction in Borderline, Narcissistic, and Antisocial Personality Disorders: Clinical Considerations, Presentation of Three Case Studies, and Implications for Therapeutic Intervention Genziana Lay Private Psychotherapy Practice, Sassari, Italy Personality disorders are a class of mental disorders involving enduring maladaptive patterns of behaving, thinking, and feeling which profoundly affect functioning, inner experience, and relationships. This work focuses on three Cluster B personality disorders (PDs) (Borderline, Narcissistic, and Antisocial PDs), specifically illustrating how relational dysfunction manifests in each condition. People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience pervasive instability in mood, behavior, self-image, and interpersonal patterns. In relationships, they tend to alternate between extremes of over-idealization and devaluation. Intense fear of abandonment, fluctuating affect, inappropriate anger, and black/white thinking deeply influence how they navigate personal relationships, which are often unstable, chaotic, dramatic, and ultimately destructive. They have a fundamental incapacity to self-soothe the explosive emotional states they experience as they oscillate between fears of engulfment and abandonment. This leads to unpredictable, harmful, impulsive behavior and chronic feelings of insecurity, worthlessness, shame, and emptiness. Their relationships are explosive, marked by hostility/contempt for self and partner alternating with bottomless neediness. Manipulation, lying, blaming, raging, and “push-pull” patterns are common features. Individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) exhibit a long-standing pattern of grandiosity and lack of empathy. They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, are self-absorbed, feel entitled, and tend to seek attention. Scarcely concerned with others’ feelings, they can be both charming and exploitative.
    [Show full text]
  • Power and Control Wheel NO SHADING
    POOWERWER AANDND COONTROLNTROL WHHEELEEL hysical and sexual assaults, or threats to commit them, are the most apparent forms of domestic violence and are usually Pthe actions that allow others to become aware of the problem. However, regular use of other abusive behaviors by the batterer, when reinforced by one or more acts of physical violence, make up a larger system of abuse. Although physical as- saults may occur only once or occasionally, they instill threat of future violent attacks and allow the abuser to take control of the woman’s life and circumstances. he Power & Control diagram is a particularly helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent be- Thaviors, which are used by a batterer to establish and maintain control over his partner. Very often, one or more violent incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pat- tern of intimidation and control in the relationship. VIOLENCE l a se sic x y COERCION u AND THREATS: INTIMIDATION: a h Making her afraid by p Making and/or carry- l ing out threats to do using looks, actions, something to hurt her. and gestures. Smashing Threatening to leave her, things. Destroying her commit suicide, or report property. Abusing pets. her to welfare. Making Displaying weapons. her drop charges. Making her do illegal things. MALE PRIVILEGE: EMOTIONAL ABUSE: Treating her like a servant: making Putting her down. Making her all the big decisions, acting like the feel bad about herself. “master of the castle,” being the Calling her names.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidance on Voter Intimidation
    BRIAN E. FROSH ELIZABETH F. HARRIS Attorney General Chief Deputy Attorney General CAROLYN QUATTROCKI Deputy Attorney General STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FACSIMILE NO. WRITER’S DIRECT DIAL NO. GUIDANCE ON VOTER INTIMIDATION This guidance seeks to inform Maryland voters about activities that are permitted versus prohibited at or near polling places, so that they know the difference and can safely exercise their right to vote. Whether certain conduct constitutes voter intimidation will depend on the specific facts in each case, but if you believe that you have witnessed or experienced voter intimidation, or that such conduct is imminent, please call the Office of the Attorney General at 443-961-2830 or toll free at 833-282-0960, or by email at [email protected]. For all other election-related concerns, contact the State Board of Elections by phone at 410-269-2840 or by email addressed to [email protected], or reach out to your local board or elections directly. A list of contact information for each local board of elections is available at https://www.elections.maryland.gov/about/county_boards.html. Finally, if there is violence or a threat of violence at a polling place, call 911 immediately. 1. What is voter intimidation? Voter intimidation is a crime under both Maryland and federal law. Under Maryland law, a person may not willfully and knowingly influence or attempt to influence a voter’s voting decision, or a voter’s decision whether to go to the polls to cast a vote, through the use of force, threat, menace, intimidation, bribery, reward, or offer of reward.
    [Show full text]
  • Bullying in the Workplace Handbook
    Bullying in the Workplace: A Handbook for the Workplace Copyright © 2010 Pubilc Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) 4950 Yonge Street, Suite 902 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1 Canada Telephone 416-250-2131 Fax 416-250-7484 Toll Free 1-877-250-7444 www.pshsa.ca First Edition ISBN: 978-1-926937-07-6 Product Number: VWBMNAEN0810 Second Edition: August 2010 All material copyright 2010 Public Services Health & Safety Association. You may use and reproduce these materials as required for training and education purposes only, provided that this notice appears in full on any copy or reproduction. All other rights reserved.. Copyright © 2010 Pubilc Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) 4950 Yonge Street, Suite 902 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1 Canada Telephone 416-250-2131 Fax 416-250-7484 Toll Free 1-877-250-7444 www.pshsa.ca ISBN: 978-1-926937-07-6 Second Edition Product Number: VWBMNAEN0810 Second Edition: August 2010 All material copyright 2010 Public Services Health & Safety Association. You may use and reproduce these materials as required for training and education purposes only, provided that this notice appears in full on any copy or reproduction. All other rights reserved.. Bullying in the Workplace: A Handbook Preface The Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) supports the prevention and reduction of workplace injuries and occupational diseases in Ontario’s health care sector by assisting organizations to adopt preventive best practices and approaches. The purpose of this booklet is to raise awareness of the prevalence and effects of bullying in the workplace, and to provide the employer, supervisor, co-workers and victims with suggestions to prevent and/or minimize any negative effects.
    [Show full text]
  • FOLK-LORE and FOLK-STORIES of WALES the HISTORY of PEMBROKESHIRE by the Rev
    i G-R so I FOLK-LORE AND FOLK-STORIES OF WALES THE HISTORY OF PEMBROKESHIRE By the Rev. JAMES PHILLIPS Demy 8vo», Cloth Gilt, Z2l6 net {by post i2(ii), Pembrokeshire, compared with some of the counties of Wales, has been fortunate in having a very considerable published literature, but as yet no history in moderate compass at a popular price has been issued. The present work will supply the need that has long been felt. WEST IRISH FOLK- TALES S> ROMANCES COLLECTED AND TRANSLATED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION By WILLIAM LARMINIE Crown 8vo., Roxburgh Gilt, lojC net (by post 10(1j). Cloth Gilt,3l6 net {by posi 3lio% In this work the tales were all written down in Irish, word for word, from the dictation of the narrators, whose name^ and localities are in every case given. The translation is closely literal. It is hoped' it will satisfy the most rigid requirements of the scientific Folk-lorist. INDIAN FOLK-TALES BEING SIDELIGHTS ON VILLAGE LIFE IN BILASPORE, CENTRAL PROVINCES By E. M. GORDON Second Edition, rez'ised. Cloth, 1/6 net (by post 1/9). " The Literary World says : A valuable contribution to Indian folk-lore. The volume is full of folk-lore and quaint and curious knowledge, and there is not a superfluous word in it." THE ANTIQUARY AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF THE PAST Edited by G. L. APPERSON, I.S.O. Price 6d, Monthly. 6/- per annum postfree, specimen copy sent post free, td. London : Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.C. FOLK-LORE AND FOLK- STORIES OF WALES BY MARIE TREVELYAN Author of "Glimpses of Welsh Life and Character," " From Snowdon to the Sea," " The Land of Arthur," *' Britain's Greatness Foretold," &c.
    [Show full text]
  • Running Head: the ADULT BULLY 1
    Running head: THE ADULT BULLY 1 The Adult Bully: Mistaken Beliefs, Private Logic, and Social Interest A Literature Review Presented to The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School _____________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for The Degree of Master of Arts in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy ______________________ By Chandra R. Roth ______________________ Chair: Rachelle Reinisch, DMFT Reader: Meghan Williams, MA _____________________ June, 2018 THE ADULT BULLY 2 The Adult Bully: Mistaken Beliefs, Private Logic, and Social Interest Copyright © 2018 Chandra R. Roth All rights reserved THE ADULT BULLY 3 Abstract Bullying in schools is a prevalent concern among American parents and educators. Many outgrow adolescent behaviors, but adolescents become adults that bully employees, coworkers, or family members. If adolescent bullies do not receive proper interventions to correct aggressive behaviors, it can have an impact on relationships, careers, and physical and emotional health. Social interest projects could facilitate goodwill among coworkers. Exposure to the issues and concerns of others may move the adult bully from narcissistic motivations to a concern for others, community, and the world. Keywords: adult bully, bully-victim, workplace bullying, Adler, social interest THE ADULT BULLY 4 Acknowledgments I must thank all five of my parents for the endless support, encouragement, and occasional exasperation throughout this process. Thank you for being patient with me. Apparently, like so many things in my life, I had to do this in my own time. Thank you to my friend, Lori, for always believing in me no matter what the endeavor, and for being the truest and most loyal friend I could have ever hoped for.
    [Show full text]
  • Bullying,Intimidation and Harassment Prevention School Policy
    Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment Prevention School Policy A Discussion Paper This paper provides a background and discussion regarding the need for school policy and procedures to prevent bullying, intimidation and harassment in schools. The paper is intended to focus discussion on the responsibility of school boards, administrators and staff in making the school environment a safe place for all students. In so doing, schools can be what they are intended to be... safe places where teaching and learning can occur. Prepared for the Montana Board of Public Education Prepared by the Montana Healthy Schools Network and the Office of Public Instruction Division of Health Enhancement and Safety June 2005 Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment School Policy Background The 2005 Montana Legislature considered legislation that would have required the Board of Public Education (BPE) and school districts to jointly address bullying, intimidation and harassment in public schools. The legislation would have accomplished this, in part, by requiring a model policy, training, and a report to the legislature on the efforts undertaken by the BPE and by schools. Although the legislation did not pass, the BPE and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) have demonstrated their commitment to addressing the issue, to establishing model policy, to identifying resources for training, and to reporting to the legislature. Using a simple definition for bullying, intimidation and harassment – when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose – a 2003 study of bullying in American schools found that six of every ten (60 percent) American teenagers witness bullying in school at least once a day. (R1) Studies have found that 20 to 30 percent of high school students are involved in bullying, either as the bully or as a victim.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 May 2018 Human Rights Violations
    MAY 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 1 MAY 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Ominous Internal political party processes ABOUT ZPP The organisation was founded in 2000 by church-based and Introduction and Statistical Analysis human rights organisations. The current members of ZPP are Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council The primary elections in the two main political of Churches (ZCC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace parties, Zanu PF and the MDC-T, continued to in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), Counselling Services Unit (CSU), Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Civic shape political events in May. (The MDC-T Education Network Trust (CIVNET), Zimbabwe Lawyers for held its primary elections in May, while for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ). Zanu PF, they were mainly re-runs. Zanu PF’s primaries were in April). The primary elections ZPP was established with the objective of monitoring, nearly defined all the incidents of human rights documenting and building peace and promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. The Zimbabwe Peace violations in the month. Of the 81 cases that Project seeks to foster dialogue and political tolerance through were recorded in May, almost a 20 percent non-partisan peace monitoring activities, mainly through monitors who document the violations of rights in the provinces. decrease from the previous month where 102 The monitors, who at full complement stand at 477 including cases were recorded – over 75 percent of the Persons with Disability at District level, constitute the core pool cases were directly connected to the primary of volunteers, supported by four Regional Coordinators.
    [Show full text]