AUSTIN, TX (March 6, 2007) - Startling statistics indicate that bullying amongst adolescent girls is on the rise. According to the National Education Association, in the United States alone, 160,000 children miss school each day because they fear being tormented by their classmates. Between 1990 and 1999, the rate of aggravated assault among girls under 18 increased 57%, while it dropped 5% for boys.

GENaustin, the Girls Empowerment Network of Austin, invites parents and others who work with teen girls to a Relational Aggression Workshop on Thursday, April 26. Participants will leave with information to help girls in grades 4-12 respond to bullying behavior. Licensed Master Social Worker Barb Steinberg will identify ways girls bully and help adults understand causes of relational aggression. She will explain how bullying impacts girls and how adults can help them end the aggression. The workshop will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at Dougherty Arts Center. Registration is $35 per person, and the session will be capped at 20 people. To sign up, visit www.genaustin.org and click on Workshops.