In the early 2000s, the story of Matt Epling—a bright 14-year-old from East Lansing whose life was tragically cut short by the weight of school-based harassment—ignited a fire in the Michigan legislature. It took nearly a decade of advocacy, but in 2011, Matt’s Safe School Law (MCL 380.1310b) was finally signed into effect. It mandated that every school district in Michigan adopt a formal anti-bullying policy.
As we look back at the progress made throughout 2025, it is clear that while the law provided the foundation, the work of organizations like Defeat the Label remains the heartbeat of the movement. Policies on paper do not stop a bully in a hallway; culture, education, and the courage of “Upstanders” do.
The State of Michigan Schools: 2025 by the Numbers
Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, data collected by the Michigan Department of Education and student safety programs like OK2SAY painted a sobering picture of the challenges our students face. Despite the existence of Matt’s Law, the reporting of incidents has surged—not necessarily because bullying is becoming more frequent, but because students are finally feeling empowered to report it.
Key Statistics from the 2025 Reporting Cycle:
- 11,200 Reported Incidents: Michigan schools reported over 11,000 verified bullying incidents in the last calendar year.
- The Cyber Shift: Approximately 18.5% of Michigan high schoolers reported being bullied online in 2025, continuing a three-year upward trend in digital harassment.
- The Power of Prevention: Schools that implemented comprehensive “Upstander” training saw a 22% decrease in physical altercations and a 35% increase in student-led interventions.
- Witnessing the Conflict: Research indicates that while 80% of students witness bullying, only 15% feel they have the specific tools to intervene without a school-wide program in place.
2025: A Year of Legislative Transformation
The year 2025 marked a pivotal shift in how Michigan handles school safety. Legislators and educators recognized that “reactionary” policies were no longer enough. The focus shifted toward Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM).
In early 2025, bipartisan efforts were made to further strengthen the reporting requirements of Matt’s Law. This new focus requires every school to establish a dedicated team to identify the “pathway to violence” or self-harm before a crisis occurs. Throughout 2025, Defeat the Label worked alongside school districts to ensure that “threat assessment” includes the emotional and social triggers of bullying, rather than just physical security measures.
Defeat the Label’s Impact Throughout 2025
Defeat the Label has always believed that the solution to bullying isn’t just more rules—it’s fewer labels. By removing the social hierarchies that lead to “othering,” we create a space where students see each other as human beings rather than targets.
Stand4Change Day 2025 On May 2, 2025, Defeat the Label led its annual Stand4Change Day. Millions of students across the globe—and thousands across Michigan—literally stood up at the same time to signal their commitment to a bully-free world. In 2025, participation reached a record-breaking 6.5 million students worldwide.
The Upstander Program Expansion While Matt’s Law requires a procedure for reporting, our Upstander Program teaches the how. Throughout 2025, our year-long school-based programs focused on moving students from “bystanders” to “upstanders.” By the end of the year, over 200 Michigan schools had officially integrated the Upstander curriculum into their daily schedules.
The Evolution of Cyberbullying under Matt’s Law
One of the most significant updates discussed in 2025 was the integration of stricter regulations on digital harassment. As cyberbullying continues to be the primary frontier for harassment, 2025 legislative sessions focused on how Matt’s Law applies to the digital world.
The legal definition of bullying under Matt’s Law now explicitly includes electronic communication that “substantially interferes with educational opportunities” or causes “substantial emotional distress.” In 2025, we saw a rise in schools using restorative justice practices—bringing the victim and the perpetrator together to understand the impact of digital words—rather than relying solely on traditional suspension.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026
As we move into 2026, the legacy of Matt Epling remains at the forefront of our minds. His father, Kevin Epling, has often said that Matt’s Law was never the “finish line”—it was the “starting line.”
Defeat the Label is committed to ensuring that every school in Michigan goes beyond the minimum requirements of the law. We are pushing for:
- Mandatory Annual Training: Ensuring all staff, from bus drivers to principals, can identify the subtle signs of social exclusion.
- Increased Mental Health Funding: Supporting the 2025 initiatives that link school safety with mental health infrastructure.
- Peer-to-Peer Support: Expanding grants for programs that allow students to lead the conversation on inclusivity.
Matt’s Law gave us the legal framework to fight back, but the heart of the battle is won in the classrooms and on the playgrounds. The statistics from 2025 show us that when we invest in education, empathy, and empowerment, the numbers go down. When we empower students to Defeat the Label, we aren’t just following a law—we are saving lives.
