LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – It’s a conversation no community wants to have, but one that’s becoming more urgent by the day—bullying and its devastating consequences.
10-year-old Autumn Bushman’s death by suicide has created conversations about bullying—especially the kind that follows kids beyond the classroom and into their online lives. Lynchburg’s 40WaysCoalition is looking to ignite change.
For generations, bullying has been a painful reality for many students—but today, it looks different. It doesn’t stop at the bus stop or when the school bell rings. Now, it follows kids home, living in their phones and social media feeds.
“We have to give the platform to the youth, we need to hear from them more often, and we need to make ourselves available for them so they can come talk to us and tell us what’s going on—because a lot of times what we are seeing is they are not reporting the bullying because there’s a massive trust gap in this generation.”
James Watkins with the 40WaysCoalition says kids aren’t just learning from their peers—they’re watching adults. What they see online, they mimic.
“The image that they portray online and on social media matters more to them than anything, so when they are being attacked on that platform, it’s far more devastating then what we see because what we see is in person,” said Watkins.
“I’ve dealt with cyber bullying in my world, you know, and it’s terrible, because it’s kind of a pack mentality and once one person starts it, then other people join in. And because they are young and don’t have the ability to see this will end, that is what traumatizes them,” said Stephanie Reed, Councilwoman and CEO of The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg.
Bullying today is relentless. In the past, it may have been name-calling or schoolyard fights, but now, there’s no escape. And for children who lack the tools to handle conflict, the pain can feel permanent.
“We’re all in this together and I really think it’s important, as I mentioned we bring awareness, but also bring solutions and see how we can best do it together,” said Jibri Poe, Community leader.
The coalition works to change that narrative—whether by steering kids away from violence or simply reminding them that their lives matter.
“Your life is so much more important than anything you may have done, or is being said about you on social media,” said Reed.
The coalition hopes to inspire students to speak up, to ask for help, and to know they are never alone.
The 40WaysCoalition meets for a panel discussion on the fourth Monday of every month to discuss important issues like bullying and violence prevention in kids and teens. They are looking for more voices to be part of the conversation and hear directly from students so that they can help create real solutions. For more information reach out to the coalition on social media.
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