The Bully Project Pt. 2

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - In the past, bullying was considered a rite of passage. Something we all have to go through to grow up.

Times now are different.

Today, bullying is viral and name calling can go worldwide thanks to the internet.

Today, prime time television is chocked full of reality shows profiling kaddy men and women.

Today, bullying is so prevalent the states of Indiana and Illinois have laws on the books saying every school corporation must have anti-bullying policies in place to protect students.

Doctor Janice Collins is a communications professor at Eastern Illinois University.

She is an award winning journalist who has earned her Doctorate of Philosophy.

She has studied social injustices in our society and teaches leadership development to young people at EIU.

“It is so prevalent in nature and our society that no one is protected,” Doctor Collins says.

Collins has studied bullying in society and she’s led town hall meetings on campus about the problem.

She says we have to work together as a group to find a solution.

Parents, teachers and journalists need to be involved.

First, parents, you need to establish a safe place for your kids to come talk to you.

“A parent needs to move away from being afraid and be a parent. A friend won’t give you a sense of protection, but a parent will. A parent who has discipline and says who did what? Let me go talk to your teachers,” says Doctor Collins.

Teachers must realize they are not only instructing in reading, writing and arithmetic. They are teaching the fundamentals of life.

“A lot of times, bullying happens because no one is willing to stand up. No teacher is willing to stand up and say there will be no bullying in my class and if there is, then you will dismiss yourself the rest of the day. ”

Doctor Collins believes the media should continue to cover the tragic stories of bullying because perhaps then, victims will realize they are not alone.

“What has to happen is people have to change from within. They have to be proud of themselves and have high self esteem. They have to have self worth and stop competing. ”

Doctor Collins believes there are a huge number of people hurting in silence.

That silence speaks loudly.

It says victims are afraid, and perhaps ashamed to report the problem.

We have spoken to several school corporations throughout the Wabash Valley.

They all say if a student is being bullied, it is imperative that they report it.

The administrators can investigate the claim and hand down a punishment if warranted.