In brief, this project will involve using a blog, Facebook page, and Twitter to build a grassroots base of people who are willing to provide support and insight for children who experience bullying and for their parents. In news stories about bullying, especially when it has led to suicide, parents note that they repeatedly tried to contact school administrators or other authorities, only to be ignored. Many families whose stories do not make the news also attest to this cycle of nonresponsiveness. This project will focus on identifying people across the United States who can serve as contacts and facilitators for parents and children whose complaints are not being heard. It will involve the following:

1. A blog that provides (a) a step-by-step process for documenting events, (b) a state-by-state listing of contacts (sourced via Twitter, blogs, and Facebook) who are willing to provide local support on the ground, (c) a case listing (when consent is provided) of cases reported to the blog administrators and the school district/authorities in question, and (d) a visual of locations in the United States where events are reported, with a second graphic showing where volunteers are available for assistance. This blog, already set up with Wordpress as http://endthebullying.wordpress.com/ (not live), will serve in the advocacy and ombudsmanship roles that are the main target of this initiative.

2. Crowdsourcing volunteers, experts, and those in need of advocacy via Twitter (dedicated feed) and via Facebook. This is anticipated to be a national effort, and already there are at least a dozen people across the country who have expressed interest in helping with outreach and other aspects of the project. 

3. Programs at the community level--e.g., in libraries, etc.--by volunteers or dissemination about the project at the community level to build awareness.

Project Details

Project url: 

http://endthebullying.wordpress.com/

Project image: 

Location