School has never been easy for me. When I hit 1st grade I was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD, huge anxiety problems and mild depression. When I got put on to an IEP, that's when the bullying began. I was bullied from elementary school all the way through middle school. I would always think about running away from home, cutting myself, or ending everything. But i got lucky that my little brother said something to my parents And I got the help that I needed. But unfortunately not everyone is as lucky and end their lives. I know may people who have self harmed and told me they wanted to end their lives. But luckily didn't loose any one. A lot of people are bullies without even realizing it, and I'm sure I'am one of them. But bullying is getting out of hand and I can't handle turning on the news every day and finding out that kids, teens or even adults have ended their lives. 

As young child I was shy & sensitive.  My Dad was a Policeman & my Mother was a Computer Operator (aka: Archie & Edith Bunker).  I am the 2nd of 4 children (3 girls & 1 boy).  I am a lesbian, my brother is gay.  I was not very athletic, not a honor-roll student, not outwardly religious.  I just did not fit in.  I was teased/bullied early on for being overly sensitive, crying a lot and because my Dad was a cop. 

We moved in the middle of 5th grade to a different school district and I became more isolated.  If you did not start school from Kindergarten on, you were considered an outsider.  Academically, I was behind my classmates & that increased the bullying.  In the eighth grade I made a stupid comment about a classmate and it got back to them.  Her and her "gang" threatened to kill me nearly everyday and called me everything but nice.  I fell into a deeper depression and the final straw came when once again the threat on my life came to ahead.  I went to the principles office and complained and the girl was suspended for the remainder of the school year. 

That's when life took a turn for the worse.  Nearly my entire class turned on me calling me a "Fink", "worthless" and other things I wish not to put in writing.  I finally found a group that would take me in with open arms "The Freaks".  The partiers, drinking and smoking pot became my "out" from reality.  I felt empowered, so I thought when I was drunk or stoned.  In reality just the opposite.

I tried several times thru my high school years to kill myself, obviously, unsuccessful.  In the 8th grade is when I finally "came out" to myself as a lesbian.  I didn't dare let anyone know, including my parents, for fear of more bullying.  It has taken many tears and years of being able to love me for me.  Thanks to the love of my partner of 24 years, my family and friends that have supported me thru this long and hard journey, I no longer feel "less" than other people.  When I see others getting bullied, whether adult or child, I try to step in and discourage such action and give the bullied positive encouragement. 

Some believe if you were not "physically" attacked that is not considered bad.  I am here to tell you that having been psychologically beaten, it is the "unseen" scars that do the most damage.  What I want to convey to those that don't "fit in" you really do - you belong to the family of Jesus Christ - a blessed child of God!  Bullying needs to stop!

I'm ashley and I'm 16 years old. I was continuousky bullied through anonymous messages. I was called ugly I was told I should burn in hell.  I struggled with anorexia and when the word got my whole school was against Me. I was called a bitch even an attention whore. I used to cut. Now im entering senior year and just got promoted president of my anti bullying club. I want to help anyone and everyone. 

IN EVERY CASE I HAVE STUDIED , THE PARENTS THE CHILD  OR SOMEONE ELSE ASKED FOR HELP .  THE SCHOOLS DID NOTHING IN FACT THEY COVER IT UP .  IT IS A SHAME OF A SYSTEM  LAUSD  THE SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY  COVERS BULLYING UP ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP , NEVER HAVE WE SEEN THIS , NOW FIRST HAND .  THEY ARE CRIMINALS GIVING THE PEOPLE WHO COVER IT UP OR HANDLE IT  , RAISES ND PROMOTIONS . ITS TIME TO STOP SAYING  'LOOK AT THE BIRDY ITS THE KIDS"  TO THE  REAL FACT THAT ITS THE SYSTEM ENABLING  BULLYING BECAUSE THEY ARE THE REALL BULLIES .   THEY ISOLATE THE PARENTS CALLING FOR HELP , MAKING THEM FEEL ALONE . THEN THEY ACT AS IF IT IS BOTHERING THEM , THE PARENTS TIRE OUT AND FADE AWAY AS THEY BOUNCE THEM AROUND LIKE PINGPONGS .... THEN LAUSD WRITES THERE OWN CONCLUSION  BASED ON THERE LEGAL TEAM , ITS THE SAME OLD TACTIC EACH TIME . TIME TO  COME TOGETHER  WE NEED A HOTLINE FOR HELP  WHEN RETALIATION  LIKE THIS HAPPENES FROM THIS CORRUPT AND BROKEN SYSTEM .  WE NEED EACH OTHER TO SUPPORT UNTIL WE PUT THE CRACK  IN THE WALL ....THEY MUST HAVE OVERSITE ..AND THE SCHOOL BOARDS  ARE  APART  THEY COVER EACH OTHER .   WE NEED TO SHOW FORCE IN NUMBERS AND NOT ALLOW ONE PARENTS TO SUFFER FOR THERE EFFORTS FOR THERE CHILD .  I KNOW , MY CASE WHEN VIEWED IS SAID  TO BE A "CLASSIC FOOTPRINT OF LAUSD  COVERUP"  BECAUSE IT IS SO DOCUMENTED .  ITS TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK OF CARING PARENTS THAT WILL BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER WHEN NEEDED  TO BREAK THIS SYSTEM DOWN AND DEMAND  THE CHANGE NEEDED .  WHILE THEY ENJOY THERE RAISES AND PROMOTIONS ON OUR TAX DOLLARS ....CHILDREN /FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING  DO TO THE SYSTEMATIC  CORRUPTION THAT IS IN PLACE . RITE NOW THEY HAVE THE POWER TO WRITE ANY OUTCOME THERE LEGAL TEAM DESCIDES .  ITS FRAUD , ITS REAL  AND IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY .  THEY HAVE SO MUCH OF OUR MONEY TO DO IT ... TIME TO BREAK IT DOWN ...WHO IS WITH ME ...I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK TO EXPOSE THIS  AND EXPOSE IT CLEARLY BEYOND ANY RESONABLE DOUBT .   

      Hello. My name is Vanessa. I was a victim of bullying. It all started in seventh grade in a school called Gila Vista. I wasn't pretty or skinny like the other girls, but I was me and I was happy with it. Later on in my first days of 7th grade I ended up seeing my best friends, who I hadn't seen since 2nd grade. I was happy that I had them. I also had my cousin to hang out with too. Everyday during the lunch period I would sit with either my friends or my cousin and her friends. When I sat with my cousin and her friends I noticed the way her friends looked me. Like I wasn't good enough. So I just continued to ignore it, but each day I ignored it, it only got worse. About 3 months into my school year I had decided to join choir. The teacher asked me to sing to see what group to put me into. I started singing and I heard snickering coming from some of the girls. They were laughing at my singing. I tried to ignore it. It wasn't very easy anymore. Luckily the bell rang to go to a different class. So I hurried to my next class, PE, unfortunately I had those girls in my class. PE went ok. After PE I headed to the cafeteria to meet some friends for afterschool program. On my way there I was surrounded by 15-17 girls. Some of those girls I had choir with. The leader came up to me and knocked my glasses of my face, which flew a few feet away from me. I was just standing there with the leader in front of me and her gang around me. I didn’t try to fight back, for if I did, I would of got beat bad. All I heard was someone telling the leader to hit me. She ignored it. She stared at me, glaring. Before she could make her move I ran, grabbed my glasses, and took off for the cafeteria. When I got there I was scared and my second best friend, not knowing what happened, pretended to hit me in the face, which she didn't  I started crying. She asked me what was wrong and I told her. After we got inside we signed in and then I was approached by my cousin. She knew what happened. She told me to go to my Nana’s house with her. I told her I couldn't  because I had my program and my mom was gonna pick me up afterwards. She said fine and walked out. Thinking I was going to be ok with teachers in the cafeteria, me and my second best friend sat down at a table. Not long after we were surrounded by the gang. They had come back to get me. I sat there looking at the table, regretting not going home with my cousin. Next thing I know Is that the leader was back in my face with her fist pulled back. Then I heard my second best friend say something over and over. She was telling the leader to hit me in the face. I was shocked, never would I have thought she would betray me like that. Immediately after hearing that I hoped a teacher would come help, but they never did. I sat there, silently praying for a miracle to come save me.  Shortly after I heard the leader mumble “dang. It’s her mom.” , I looked over to the doors and saw my cousin had come back with my Nana, Tata and my older cousin. I was relieved. The gang took off, knowing they couldn't hit me with my family present.  I got up and hugged my saviors. I was close to tears. We got in the car and head home. I called my mom and explained what had happened. She went to my Nana’s house a while after I got there. Then I went home. The next day I was called into the office and had to talk to a policeman. He asked me what faces I remember. I told him three people that I recognized from pictures he was showing me. I was hoping he would expel them, but he didn't  He merely gave them a strike mark. I was upset. I went to class again. Then was called back shortly after. My dad was there signing me out. He was transferring me to a different school. I was relieved. I went and gathered my stuff, told my friends, except my ex second best friend, goodbye and hugged them. I explained to my cousin and she hugged me tightly. She was my hero.  Now I’m in a new school in 10th grade. I have amazing friends, met awesome people, and am as happy as can be. If it wasn't for my cousin, I don’t know where I’d be. That’s my bullying story.

I was bullied from grades six, seven and eight.  I was a small boy for my age and an easy target.  When I went to high school I decided I would not be a victim any longer and I would stand up for myself even if it meant me fighting off more then one attacker at a time.

When I was in grade nine, five bullies in grades 12 and 13 cornered me in the equipment room of our high school gym. I was terrified.  I picked up an aluminium baseball bat and told the leader of the group that I am swing for his head if he comes any closer to me. He said if I hit him the others would take the bat from me and beat me to death with it.

He walked forward and I swung at his head. I missed it by half an inch.  He fell back into his gang and was stunned that I actually was willing to hit him.

l was screaming at the top of my lungs that I would kill him, that I would kill ALL of them!  At this point he and his gang were scared.  They knew I was serious and they slowly backed out of the room.  I stayed in there for ten minutes and then went to the change room to get my clothes.

I broke down crying and puked my guts out all over the change room.  The news of this incident spread through my school with bits of fact and fiction being added, but nobody picked on me after that day.

My reaction was not based on anger.  I had no desire to hurt anybody and I  can get angry and control my temper...but, it was the FEAR I felt that led me to almost seriously harming another human being.  It has always left a scar in me to know that within me is the potential to be that horrifically violent.

I am NOT proud of this incident.  I wish I could have found a way to show these kids what they were doing was wrong without putting their lives in danger.  

This happened over 30 years ago and while time and reflection can dilute the feelings of being bullied, I feel the actions I took out of fear will haunt me forever.

Bullying has to STOP!  It does not effect a part of your life... it infects your entire life.

Graham Purdy 

   Ello, my name is Jessie Dorsey, and I was bullied in 5th grade through high school. Before I tell you how I was bullied I need to tell you that I was one. Before 5th grade. I thought it was okay, picking on people I didn't quite like. But it wasn't, it never was. I hurt people, and only after growing up and becoming more mature did I not only remember what I did, but I apologized, hoping they'd forgive me. I remember this one girl I bullied for looking like a guy, but I think it's only because I liked her. Unfortunately, I never got to say sorry. I forgot her name, and still till this day I'm trying to remember. One day I will. This summer in fact. But moving on, after being a bully, I was bullied. First, by 5 guys, in 5th grade. Not physically, but verbally. There was lot's of hatred towards me, and due to all that hatred, I acted out. I became a rebel through 5th grade and middle school, and my reputation as a person became invisible. Everyone seemed to hate me. Called me names, said no one liked me, that I had no friends. Most of the things they said were true. It wasn't until high school that it all kind of stopped. Instead of being bullied directly.. I was ignored and became an outcast. No one wanted to be around me, I tried to fit in with others.. silently easing my way into a group of people who later on accepted me. But it became people who knew me, rather than people who were my friends. Most people only seemed to know me because of how popular my brothers were. Out of hundreds of students, I could not call one a true friend. So I was invisible. So invisible in fact that I accepted my invisibility and wore sun-shades indoors. Everywhere actually to hide the emotion. Because it's easy to smile, but you cannot lie with your eyes. I hated people, everyone. I hated life. But it wasn't extreme like most bullying usually is. I wasn't punched or kicked or thrown into lockers. No, I got off easy. And it wasn't until I started to show what I could do musically, that I began to get noticed. I learned many things because of people's hatred towards me. But one true thing I've learned, is that you always have a choice. My choice, to forgive them. All of them. Ignore them, move past, but I was only able to do that because of a very horrible moment in my life that I'd rather not talk about. Hatred now, does not exist in my life. And it wasn't the horrible moment that got me out of it entirely, but music as well. I performed a song of how it was being an outcast in high school at my last talent show. Senior Acoustic Night it was called, and I plan on uploading this song to YouTube soon.

Anyway, I've never truly witnessed bullying happening to someone else. But if I ever did, I'd stop it immediately. My experience with bullying wasn't as drastic as most experiences are, but even so.. it should never have to be experienced.

My advice:

Forgive those who bully you.

Be brave and stand up for yourself when no one else will.

Find a positive release. Music for instance or writing.

Video games are lovely xD

Just.. continue and always be yourself, and don't let anyone define who you are, because you are you, and no one can ever change that. Don't let them. :)

Hello,

My name is Juliet Hibbs.  I live in South Florida and I am the teacher that was accused of possibly contributing to a students homosexuality.  I reported cyber bullying to that student from her step father on twitter about her sexual orientation a week before these allegations were made.  My principal, Jon Marlow is a bully and has done this many times.  I did not go public with my own story until student safety was an issue.  I reported bullying and nothing.  A student reported MANY threats from her  ex boyfriend to her via text message and an assistant principal told her it was her fault for being so bad about the break up.  So I gave her directions in writing signed by me...about how to report and finally call 911 and report her life being threatened on this campus and no one will help me.  They took a little action.  I had a student sexually assaulted and it was covered up and the victim was bullied out of school.  Please take a look at my youtube channel.  I and others have been speaking before the board for a year.  The channel is Hibbsforchange.  These are just a few stories.  I need help to break through the politics and get REAL action.  Broward county School prides itself on their antibullying policies  5.9 but so nothing to stop anything.  

Growing up I had about a hour long bus ride.  Being Native American, I went to school on the reservation.  I had long hair growing up.  On multiple occasions I had gum thrown in my hair.  Sometimes I knew who did it.  Sometimes I didn't.    I took to carrying a knife with me.  I am very glad that I never resorted to violence and I regret even thinking about it.   I took martial arts for many years afterwards so that I never felt helpless again.  There I learned ways to defuse situations without violence.  But it does get better, as an adult I have a better life now.