In the past, Legal Pub warned of the dangers of bullying and the need for stricter punishment. LINK. How many victims must die before the problem is finally addressed by the schools and the local authorities? ANSWER BLOWING IN WIND. One thing is certain, 15-year old Amanda Diane Cummings won't be around when the answer becomes apparent. The Staten Island teenager Monday evening after she jumped in front of a bus while carrying a suicide note. The suicide occurred on Hylan Boulevard. Amanda was sophomore at New Dorp High. According to Keith Cummings, Amanda's uncle, she had been bullied by other student. Bullies allegedly stole her jacket, phone, and shoes. Cruel, inappropriate comments were also posted on Amanda's Facebook. Cummings wants to file a lawsuit against the bullies. "Kids can't do this to each other," explained Cummings to the media.
Bullying has become an epidemic in this country. As social websites become more popular, they have become a playground for illegal slander and harmful taunting. According to a 2010 New York Times article, 20% of all teens reported being victims of cyberbullying. Furthermore, 2010 statistics reveal that there are about 2.7 million students being bullied each year by about 2.1 students taking on the roll of the bully. Many states have bullying laws in effect. However, few of the states offer guidance on how to target bullying on the Internet. Greater awareness and stricter punishment for bullying of all types may be the only real hope for some deterrence. Will the message be heard? Perhaps the answer is truly blowing in the wind.
Update 1-6-12: And now adults are compounding the problem with excuses. About a month ago a Tennessee teen who was gay, Jacob Roberts, committed suicide after being bullied. Now a proposed Tennessee law could offer bullies protection if they did it in the name of religion. Legislative Protection?
The proposed change would allow students to speak out against homosexuality without punishment if the comments are made because of religious beliefs. The bill is supported by the Family Action Counsel of Tennessee. Family Action.
David Fowler, a former Republican state senator, told the press that the "... purpose is to stop bullying, not create special classes of people who are more important than others." But would such a change in the law create more gay bullying which would lead to more devastating fates such as the one suffered by Jacob Rogers? Jacob Rogers.
Will this send a message that hatred is acceptable? Associated Press.
Update 5-9-12: It would be nice if we had a pleasant update. But the death of 13 year-old Rachel Ehmke demonstrates that this problem is not going away anytime soon. Rachel was a 13-year-old seventh grader in Mantorville, Minn. She hung herself on April 29, 2012 after prolonged peer abuse. Rachel's parents, Rick and Mary Ehmke, are speaking out against the bullying they say their daughter endured at Kasson/Mantorville Middle School and online.
Rachel became the subject of school bullying last fall when her chewing gum was stuck to her textbooks and the word "slut" was written on her gym locker. A group of girls reportedly kept calling Rachel a "prostitute," even though she probably had never even kissed a boy during her short life. An anonymous text was circulated that said something to the effect that Rachel was a slut and to get her to leave the Kasson-Mantorville School, forward this to everyone you know.
The school district's bullying policy prohibits threats both in person and online. Should the school have taken heavier measures against the bullies when the taunting was first reported in the fall? The U.S. Department of Education has identified 16 "key components" in state bullying legislation, including a statement of scope, listing of enumerated groups, process of district policy review, definitions and reporting guidelines. Unfortunately, Minnesota ranks last in the country with its state bullying law only covering two of the 16 components. Only three states (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arizona) prohibit bullying but do not define "bullying." The state also doesn't provide a model bullying policy.
Dodge County authorities plan to meet this week to discuss possible criminal charges; however, the Star Tribune reports Rick Ehmke says the family doesn't plan to press charges.
Rachel's parents found a note after her death which read, "I'm fine = I wish I could tell you how I really feel."
Bullies, how do you now feel? You will carry this baggage the rest of your life.
Update 1-6-12: And now adults are compounding the problem with excuses. About a month ago a Tennessee teen who was gay, Jacob Roberts, committed suicide after being bullied. Now a proposed Tennessee law could offer bullies protection if they did it in the name of religion. Legislative Protection?
The proposed change would allow students to speak out against homosexuality without punishment if the comments are made because of religious beliefs. The bill is supported by the Family Action Counsel of Tennessee. Family Action.
David Fowler, a former Republican state senator, told the press that the "... purpose is to stop bullying, not create special classes of people who are more important than others." But would such a change in the law create more gay bullying which would lead to more devastating fates such as the one suffered by Jacob Rogers? Jacob Rogers.
Will this send a message that hatred is acceptable? Associated Press.
Update 5-9-12: It would be nice if we had a pleasant update. But the death of 13 year-old Rachel Ehmke demonstrates that this problem is not going away anytime soon. Rachel was a 13-year-old seventh grader in Mantorville, Minn. She hung herself on April 29, 2012 after prolonged peer abuse. Rachel's parents, Rick and Mary Ehmke, are speaking out against the bullying they say their daughter endured at Kasson/Mantorville Middle School and online.
Rachel became the subject of school bullying last fall when her chewing gum was stuck to her textbooks and the word "slut" was written on her gym locker. A group of girls reportedly kept calling Rachel a "prostitute," even though she probably had never even kissed a boy during her short life. An anonymous text was circulated that said something to the effect that Rachel was a slut and to get her to leave the Kasson-Mantorville School, forward this to everyone you know.
The school district's bullying policy prohibits threats both in person and online. Should the school have taken heavier measures against the bullies when the taunting was first reported in the fall? The U.S. Department of Education has identified 16 "key components" in state bullying legislation, including a statement of scope, listing of enumerated groups, process of district policy review, definitions and reporting guidelines. Unfortunately, Minnesota ranks last in the country with its state bullying law only covering two of the 16 components. Only three states (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arizona) prohibit bullying but do not define "bullying." The state also doesn't provide a model bullying policy.
Dodge County authorities plan to meet this week to discuss possible criminal charges; however, the Star Tribune reports Rick Ehmke says the family doesn't plan to press charges.
Rachel's parents found a note after her death which read, "I'm fine = I wish I could tell you how I really feel."
Bullies, how do you now feel? You will carry this baggage the rest of your life.
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11 comments:
Bullying is way out of hand. I have personally witnessed such horrible conduct. Not fun to be a victim. Not cool to watch.
I wonder how the bullies feel now? Are the bullies satisfied? Is that what they wanted?
i cannot believe these people who are still tormenting this girl even in death will she ever get a break? this story broke the hearts of the like of me my girlfriend and my family it truly does hit home bullying really needs to stopped man i cant understand how people could do this to an individual the people who are dissrespecting amanda should be charged criminally its just unfathomable how peole could actually say things like this about a young girl who met an unfortuanet fate
This reminds me about the Elton John song a candle in the wind. This girl still tormented as she lay dieing in a hospital bed.
People are way too cruel.
Update 1-6-12: And now adults are compounding the problem with excuses. About a month ago a Tennessee teen who was gay, Jacob Roberts, committed suicide after being bullied. Now a proposed Tennessee law could offer bullies protection if they did it in the name of religion. Legislative Protection?
The proposed change would allow students to speak out against homosexuality without punishment if the comments are made because of religious beliefs. The bill is supported by the Family Action Counsel of Tennessee. Family Action.
David Fowler, a former Republican state senator, told the press that the "... purpose is to stop bullying, not create special classes of people who are more important than others." But would such a change in the law create more gay bullying which would lead to more devistating fates such as the one suffered by Jacob Rogers? Jacob Rogers.
Did hear about the tennessee boy until now. Why would anyone want to protect such harassers.
Now the Tennessee bullies will use religion to get away with bullying for any reason. Maybe we need to lobby Tennessee to pass a law that puts all practicing Christians to death for adultery…since their good book says it must be so.
loved the Peter Paul & Mary song. Fine tribute to this young woman. May she R.I.P.
Sign, Share, & repost if you are againist cyberbullying http://www.change.org/petitions/facebook-prevention-of-trolling-by-adults-and-peers
cyber bullying is an awful waste of human energy.
Update 5-9-12: It would be nice if we had a pleasant update. But the death of 13 year-old Rachel Ehmke demonstrates that this problem is not going away anytime soon. Rachel was a 13-year-old seventh grader in Mantorville, Minn. She hung herself on April 29, 2012 after prolonged peer abuse. Rachel's parents, Rick and Mary Ehmke, are speaking out against the bullying they say their daughter endured at Kasson/Mantorville Middle School and online.
Rachel became the subject of school bullying last fall when her chewing gum was stuck to her textbooks and the word "slut" was written on her gym locker. A group of girls reportedly kept calling Rachel a "prostitute," even though she probably had never even kissed a boy during her short life. An anonymous text was circulated that said something to the effect that Rachel was a slut and to get her to leave the Kasson-Mantorville School, forward this to everyone you know.
The school district's bullying policy prohibits threats both in person and online. Should the school have taken heavier measures against the bullies when the taunting was first reported in the fall? The U.S. Department of Education has identified 16 "key components" in state bullying legislation, including a statement of scope, listing of enumerated groups, process of district policy review, definitions and reporting guidelines. Unfortunately, Minnesota ranks last in the country with its state bullying law only covering two of the 16 components. Only three states (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arizona) prohibit bullying but do not define "bullying." The state also doesn't provide a model bullying policy.
Dodge County authorities plan to meet this week to discuss possible criminal charges; however, the Star Tribune reports Rick Ehmke says the family doesn't plan to press charges.
Rachel's parents found a note after her death which read, "I'm fine = I wish I could tell you how I really feel."
Bullies, how do you now feel? You will carry this baggage the rest of your life.
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