Our hearts break for them that they didn’t know that there was help …that they didn’t know that the bullying would not be forever. And they didn’t know that suicide would take away all of their dreams, hopes and aspirations. They didn’t know that their families would be living the worse pain that anyone can endure.

Our hearts go out to their families. Nothing we can say will ease their pain or bring back their children.

 Our promise goes to every kid who is being bullied. We will always fight the good fight for you, but you need to do your part too!

You need to become empowered and show your bullies that what you’re doing doesn’t bother you – even though it does! This will likely be very difficult but we know this works!

If you are in real danger, you need to tell a trusted adult and keep on telling until someone hears you. Tell your friends –but keep telling!

And lastly, NO MATTER how bad it gets, you must promise that you will not take your life. If you do, your family and friends will be beyond devastated. You will have missed out on the future you’ve been planning. If the thought of suicide even creeps into your mind, tell someone who can help you. Don’t do anything because the next day things could look different. Contact STOMP Out Bullying’s HelpChat Line on our website. It’s for kids and teens who are being bullied, cyberbullied and at-risk for suicide.

If you are in immediate danger and think you might hurt yourself – STOP and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Did you know that just by you thinking about suicide, you’re letting the bullies win and taking away your power? Why would you do that?

As painful as the bullying and the cyberbullying are, you must not let it define who you are! You cannot let the bully take your power away. Take theirs away by showing them you don’t care. They will find that truly disturbing.

From 1^st to 6^th grade I remember being so miserable and unhappy. I was overweight and literally did not have one friend. No one would speak to me. In 6^th grade a group of mean girls threatened to beat me up. I was scared!! Then 7th grade came I was Miss Popularity! Bottom line, I didn’t end my life and have a pretty amazing life today!

Look at all of the celebrities who’ve been bullied: Demi Lovato, Lady Gaga, Lance Bass, Ellen Degeneres, Brittany Snow, Justin Bieber, Tyler Blackburn,  Jessica Alba, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Michael Phelps …and the list goes on and on.

They didn’t take their lives. It was painful for them — but look at them now!

You are not alone. We’re here to help and so are many other organizations.

So as bad as things get, there is help. Don’t destroy your dreams and your future. Don’t let the bullies take away YOUR power!

Suicide is permanent. As bad as bullying is – that’s not permanent!

Ross Ellis
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
STOMP Out Bullying
www.stompoutbullying.org

Was facing 10 years in jail for spying on your roommate Tyler Clementi, his suicide and being a homophobic worth all of the fun you had on Twitter Ravi?

Yesterday former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi was found guilty of hate crimes and invasion of privacy ending the case that became a national cyberbullying debate?

Ravi set up a webcam to spy on his roommate Tyler Clementi while Clementi participated in a consensual sexual encounter with another man in the dorm room that he and Ravi shared.

A few days after learning that the encounter went viral online at the hands of Ravi, Tyler jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. In fact Ravi went as far as to invite others to watch and discuss what they saw online.

In addition to the hate crimes, the jury found Ravi guilty of tampering with evidence and witnesses because of his efforts to change Twitter and text messages in which he had encouraged others to watch the webcam footage.

Ravi, 20, faced 15 counts of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation, tampering with evidence and a witness and hindering apprehension. The jury concluded that Clementi had reason to believe that he was targeted because he was gay (based on the language in some of the texts), and on one count, the jury found that Ravi knew Clementi who would feel intimidated by his actions.

Ravi could face the maximum penalty of up to 10 years in jail and deportation to his native India.

NJ prosecutor Julia L. McClure told the jury “These acts were purposeful, they were intentional and they were planned.” She later told the jury that Ravi “was bothered by Tyler Clementi’s sexual orientation.”

Ravi’s lawyers never disputed that their client had set up the webcam and then gone to a friend’s room and viewed Clementi kissing the unidentified man. Nor did they deny that Ravi sent Twitter and text messages to others describing what he’d seen and urging them to watch a second viewing.

Ravi’s attorneys painted their client as an immature college student who acted thoughtlessly and made a mistake, but denied that he’d been spurred by homophobia.

Clementi’s suicide set off a national debate about bullying and intimidation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth which spurred public messages of support from everyone including talk show Ellen Degeneres, Daniel Radcliffe, President Obama and hundreds of thousands of celebrities and others who were outraged by this cruel and senseless act of hate, homophobia and invasion of privacy.

Within an hour of the verdict against Ravi, the web community devoted to Clementi’s case erupted in righteous satisfaction. “Justice been served,” wrote one poster on one of Clementi’s commemorative Facebook pages.

We ask Ravi and his friends – was it worth all of this? We ask anyone who would even entertain the same or similar act – do you think it’s worth it?

Let this be a wake up call to everyone online — NO MATTER™ who you are, what you look like, your sexual orientation, your beliefs, we are ALL the same, we are ALL people, NO MATTER! That means no one should ever be bullied in any way — NO MATTER!

HONOR  OUR DIFFERENCES … RESPECT AND CELEBRATE OUR SIMILARITIES

Katy Butler travelled from Ann Arbor, MI to Los Angeles to deliver an important message and almost 300,000 signatures to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) yesterday.  Katy an amazing teen activist started a petition on change.org after hearing the movie Bully received an R rating from the MPAA.

She and her mom brought the signatures in person to the MPAA and met with one of their representatives yesterday.

Katy knows bullying first hand. She came out as a lesbian in middle school and was often tormented and pushed into lockers, with her bullies even breaking her finger during one of those instances.  Katy along with hundreds of thousands of other students understand the importance for all students to see a film addressing the subject of bullying, and allow schools around the country to hold screenings.  Showing the film to bullies and their victims could have a tremendous impact and start discussions in schools to create safer environments for students.

The MPAA wants to keep consistent with their rating and some of the graphic language used in the film. What they fail to realize is that this language is sadly a part of every day life at most schools across the country.

The film is scheduled to open in theaters on March 30^th so there’s still time to sign Katy’s petition at action on change.org .

This time it wasn’t suicide that took the lives of our students – it was another student who had been bullied.

T.J. Lane, a 17 year-old student at Chardon H.S. in Ohio went on a shooting spree last week, randomly shooting students in his school cafeteria. As a result three students died and two were critically injured.

This is not new news, but it’s news that calls for immediate intervention by our schools, parents, communities and even our students.

Apparently Lane had been bullied. In December he posted this on his Facebook page “Feel death, not just mocking you. Not just stalking you but inside of you. Wriggle and writhe. Feel smaller beneath my might. Seizure in the Pestilence that is my scythe. Die, all of you.”

Whether this young man is found competent to stand trial or not, one thing we know for sure: bullying, suicides and murders by bullied victims and/or bullies must stop!

The countless names of those we lost: Phoebe Prince, Scott Walz, Jessie Logan, Hope Witsell, Alex Harris, Kameron Jacobsen, Cark Hoover Walker, Matt Epling, Asher Brown, Suade Cooley, Jamie Rodemeyer, Tyler Clementi, Amanda Diane Cummings …these are only a few of the victims we lost.

And on January 7^th, we lost Kevin Jacobsen Sr., the first parent who in the United States took his life because he could no longer go on without his beloved son Kameron who took his life just a year before.

If we don’t understand the seriousness of all of this, then there is something critically wrong with our society.

Most states have anti-bullying legislation. New Jersey and Massachusetts have the strongest legislation of all. But what good is legislation if our schools don’t enforce it?

And when it’s too late because a school has lost a student – they reach our begging for anti-bullying assemblies – too little, too late.

School assemblies are band-aids. No school can expect to have an assembly and solve the problem. Schools need ongoing anti-bullying education, with student, teacher, parent and community involvement.

And for those who insist that bullies be expelled and arrested – that’s not the answer either.

The angry parents (and rightfully so) cannot go to schools screaming to school administrators that the bullies must go to jail.

As much as our victims need help, bullies need help by getting to the root of their problems and changing their behavior.

Last month we received a phone call from an 8 year-old boy in Texas who softly whispered into the phone that he was a bully. Then his mother got on the phone saying as part of his punishment, he would be donating his allowance to STOMP Out Bullying™.

When his note and allowance arrived it read:

To whom it may concern:
 
I am a bully but I don’t want to be a bully any more.This parent got that bullying is wrong – while many honestly believe it’s a right of passage for every kid to go through. It isn’t!

Please use my allowance to help stop bullies.

I was bullied as a child and I don’t remember one kid taking their life or going to school with a gun to shoot others.

STOMP Out Bullying™ hears from over 200 parents a week and our HelpChat Line is visited by over 300 students a week who are tired and afraid of the torment of being bullied. That’s no right of passage! Sometimes we even hear from a few bullies who understand that their behavior is wrong and they want help!

Our children need to handle this on their own if they can. If it becomes dangerous, our schools must get involved – rather than sweep it under the rug. Many teachers have told us that when they report bullying to their principals, they are told to forget about it.

And when schools do get involved, the victim is usually the one to get into trouble because the bully and his friends have lied.

It is time for us to listen and hear the messages our children are crying out.

It’s time to stop the tragedies, stop the pain and seize control of our schools and our communities. It’s time for parents to stop saying “Not My Kid!” 

It’s time to make immediate changes in what we are teaching our children and how we teach them.

It’s time to STOMP Out Bullying.

Some people think that bullying is “just a right of passage” and they don’t take it seriously … until someone they know is hurt by bullying. Bullying is NOT a right of passage!

Over 13 million American kids will be bullied this year, making it the most common form of violence against children.

“Bully” is an upcoming documentary directed by Lee Hirsch that adds a human face to these shocking stats.

1 out of 4 kids is bullied

43% of teens, 97% of middle schoolers and 47% of older teens 18-24 cyberbullied

9 out of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school

Child and teen Bullying and Cyberbullying are at an all-time high

60% of boys who were bullies in middle school had at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24.

As many as 160,000 students may stay home on any given day because they’re afraid of their bullies and/or they just can’t take the pain anymore

The film “Bully” follows five teens and their families who live through the daily  torment by their very own classmates – the bullies.

Sadly and tragically, two of the victims committed suicide and another served jail-time for bringing a loaded handgun on her school bus.

“Bully” documents every painful, real life moment. It will be released in theaters March 30. But there’s a big problem.

To date the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) gave the film the restricted ”R”  rating because of the film’s language. And NATO (the National Association of Theater Owners) is supporting the film rating along with the MPAA – both clearly igoring the rights of our country’s children.

This is unfair to all students under the age of 17 because it means that “Bully” can’t be shown in schools/classrooms. Bullying has reached epidemic proportions in this country and the film is so relatable to kids in elementary school to H.S. seniors and even college aged students globally.

Bully’s strong language and the suicides are a reality.  The profanity and the absolute worst reality of  kids taking their lives, is a realistic portrayal of what our kids hear every day and the lives lost due to this epidemic. The film may shock parents but it offers credibility is a wake up call for kids to stand up for others and for parents and schools to stand up and say ENOUGH!!

The number of suicides we’ve seen across the country and even globally as a result of bullying and cyberbullying is beyond tragic and should never have happened!

Just last week 17 –year old student T.J. Lane from Chardon H.S. in Ohio randomly shot classmates at school, killing three and seriously injuring two. It’s been reported that T.J. had been bullied.

Bullying, cyberbullying and school violence must stop!

• You can help!
  If you see someone being bullied, stand up for others and say something
• Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character for it becomes your destiny. – Patrick Overton
• Sign STOMP Out Bullying’s Petition
• Sign the Petition to give ‘Bully’ a PG-13 instead of an R rating!
• STOMP Out Bullying

The Bully Project Movie Trailer

Fifteen year-old Amanda Diane Cummings of Staten Island, NY ran in front of a bus so her torment would end. It’s so sad that she didn’t know that there was help out there. Whether she came to us at STOMP Out Bullying or sought help elsewhere, we could have helped. We would have let her know that know matter how bad bullying is – NOTHING is that bad that you need to end it. We would have gotten her the appropriate help.

Our hearts break for her and for her family!

VICTIMS – Don’t even think about this! Don’t let someone’s foolish and cruel words and actions take away your dreams, aspirations and future. Don’t let the bullies take you away from your family who loves you! There is help. Please — Please just reach out and ask! “if no one listens — keep telling someone — keep asking for help until someone does hear you and help you! STOMP Out Bullying and many other organizations are out there for you. All you have to do is contact one of us.

Look at all of the celebrities who have been bullied. If they had given up and taken their lives, you wouldn’t even know about them today. And they showed their bullies!! Now who are the winners?

BULLIES – PAY ATTENTION because this is the damage you are doing. Do you really want someone’s death on your hands? It’s time for all of you to seek help! If you don’t know where to get help we’ll refer you to the appropriate provider – but your behaviors have to change – NOW!!

Thousands across the globe went BLUE on October 3rd making it the day that bullying and cyberbullying prevention were heard around the world.

There’s still a lot of work to do! Let’s raise awareness together — for everyone — NO MATTER™ what our differences are!

Support STOMP Out Bullying™!

Like us on FB http://on.fb.me/on2TqL and follow us on Twitter http://bit.ly/pqda8W.

Help support STOMP Out Bullying™ by adding this button to your website, blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Spread the word! Let’s all STOMP Out Bullying™ together across the globe … NO MATTER™!

Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old high school freshman who was bullied because of his sexuality, took his own life this week – ironically while we were at the Bullying Summit in D.C.

Jamey who was a target of bullies, both online and at school was found dead outside his Buffalo area home. He had family and friends who supported him, and was seeing a therapist and social worker.

“The bullies now are still walking around. They get to wake up tomorrow and go to school and see all their friends, but my son will not be given a second chance no matter how much I have prayed,” Jamey’s mother Tracy told News sources

His father Tim said, “They have to somehow get the power away from the bully, and I don’t know how you do that, and that’s the biggest question in my mind.”

Jamey’s suicide is tragic. I know that I can speak for all of our bullying prevention partners, supporters and friends who join us in sending Jamey’s family our prayers and thoughts.

While some may say that Jamey took his life, it is the ongoing and unjust homophobia that murdered him.

It was the fear of the adults who passed the fear of being “gay” on to their children who caused Jamey’s death.

On Sept. 8th Jamey posted lyrics to a song by Hollywood Undead that included the line, “I just wanna say good bye, disappear with no one knowing. … I don’t wanna live this lie, smiling to the world unknowing.”

He then posted a lyric from Lady Gaga’s song “The Queen” on his Facebook page: “Don’t forget me when I come crying to heaven’s door.”

His final message appeared on his Tumblr blog expressing a desire to see his great-grandmother, who had recently died, according to the local newspaper.

It is a challenging time for our youth who expose themselves to digital harassment by posting on social media sites. Yet it is their way of crying out for help … wanting to be heard, wanting to be understood and most of all  – wanting to be accepted.

Some have asked how Jamey took his life. That is not important and we are pleased to see that the media is not reporting this, as it sets the risk for contagion behavior. What is important is that no matter what Jamey’s sexual preferences were, he should never have been bullied – he should be here today.

Here at STOMP Out Bullying™ we believe: NO MATTER™ who you are, what you look like, your sexual preferences, your beliefs, we are ALL the same, we are ALL people, NO MATTER™! That means no one should ever be bullied in any way — NO MATTER™!

For those who are being bullied in person or online or who are at-risk for suicide, please contact our HelpChat Line at www.stompoutbullying.org.
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

There is help and believe it or not – there is hope!

Ross Ellis
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
STOMP Out Bullying™

                             

CUSTOMINK AND STOMP OUT BULLYING™ ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO  “BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER”

For some students going back to school means the excitement of new classes, new teachers and new friends; but for other students back-to-school means increased anxiety, depression and fear due to bullying.  In fact, between 20 and 30% of school-aged kids in the United States have been bullied.  This year, STOMP Out Bullying™ has a new partner in its effort to stop bullying.

CustomInk, an innovative website that allows people to design their own professionally screen printed t-shirts and products, will work with our organization during the back-to-school season to launch the “Be Good to Each Other” campaign.  The campaign encourages students and others to take a stand against bullying by designing and wearing their own custom anti-bullying t-shirts.  All profits from those t-shirt sales on CustomInk.com will benefit STOMP Out Bullying™. 

 “CustomInk lives by the Golden Rule. It’s how we treat our customers and our colleagues; and we promote the value of being good to each other in the community at large,” commented CustomInk CEO Marc Katz.  “We believe in the power of t-shirts to unite people, and hope that by encouraging kids to take a stand for kindness and tolerance, we can help make a difference in preventing bullying.”

Students can either wear STOMP Out Bullying’s “Limited Edition” blue shirt designed by Avrett Free Ginsberg and produced and sponsored by CustomInk, or can create their anti-bullying message on a blue shirt at CustomInk to wear on Monday, October 3, 2011 which is the Third Annual blue shirt day™ – world day of bullying prevention.  Other custom shirts can be worn throughout the month of October to support National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. 

CustomInk will feature an online gallery of anti-bullying tees designed through the “Be Good To Each Other” campaign on a special landing page on the CustomInk website www.customink.com/stopbullying so that students around the country can see what their peers have to say and how they’ve expressed themselves.  A number of young celebrities are lending their voice to support the cause by designing shirts with an anti-bullying message.

For more information, to view the celebrity and student designed shirts or to design your own custom anti-bullying t-shirt, please visit www.customink.com/stopbullying.

October is National Bullying Awareness Month and to signify its importance, STOMP Out Bullying™ created BLUE SHIRT DAY™ – WORLD DAY OF BULLYING PREVENTION.

Please join us for the Third Annual BLUE SHIRT DAY™ – WORLD DAY OF BULLYING PREVENTION and GO BLUE!!!

Whether you wear our “Limited Edition” Shirt or your own it’s time to GO BLUE and make October 3rd the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world, by wearing a blue shirt in solidarity to STOMP Out Bullying!

Read more about the day here

SEE OUR VIDEO: ”Join STOMP Out Bullying™ for BLUE SHIRT DAY™ – WORLD DAY OF BULLYING PREVENTION on 10-3-11″  created and donated by Avrett Free Ginsberg, Curious Pictures, the WINTERPILLS, Tylie Jones and many others, including all of the national TV and Cable networks where you will see this PSA air. This shirt is sponsored by CustomInk.  A huge thanks to everyone involved for helping to make this day possible!

GO BLUE on 10-3-11