How many times have you read a devastating headline or seen a post about a child committing suicide because of bullying?

Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon occurrence, and may have even affected your local community. Despite schools implementing rules and policies to address bullying, it appears to be largely ineffective and has become an epidemic within the public school system that is not effectively being addressed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “A national survey found that 28% of middle schools, 15% of high schools, and 10% of elementary schools reported the occurrence of bullying at school at least once a week. About 37% of middle schools reported the occurrence of cyber-bullying at least once a week, followed by 25% of high schools and 6% of elementary schools.”

Even more alarming are parents’ claims that bullying incidents are not being addressed in schools and, in some cases, are being ignored altogether.

We have also received reports of incidents in which the victims have been subjected to disciplinary measures while the bully (the aggressor) has not received any disciplinary action. Social media is full of exasperated parents sharing accounts of bullying their children are experiencing in school systems.

What is being done at a state level to address the issue?

Tennessee law 39-17-308 states “harassment—defined as repeated, unwanted communication intended to annoy, alarm, or frighten—is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, fines up to $2,500, or both. Cyberbullying involving persistent electronic harassment can also lead to charges.

If bullying involves physical harm, it may result in assault charges under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-13-101. Intentional bodily harm, even without a weapon, can lead to misdemeanor assault charges with penalties including jail time, probation, and mandatory counseling. More severe cases involving serious injury or a deadly weapon may result in felony aggravated assault charges under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-13-102.”

According to a 2024 addition to Tennessee Code Title 49 related to Elementary and Secondary Education, “school personnel are required to investigate allegations of bullying.”

T.C.A. Section 49-6-4503 states: (d) (1) The principal of a middle school, junior high school, or high school, or the principal’s designee, shall investigate harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying when a student reports to any principal, teacher or guidance counselor that physical harm or a threat of physical harm to such student’s person or property has occurred.

(2) The principal, or the principal’s designee, shall immediately inform the parent or legal guardian of a student involved in an act of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal or the principal’s designee shall inform the parents or legal guardians of the students of the availability of counseling and support services that may be necessary.

(3) Following any investigation required by this part, the principal or such principal’s designee shall report the findings, along with any disciplinary action taken, to the director of schools and the chair of the local board of education.

During the 2025 legislative session, an additional $20 million was allocated to school safety. Still, bullying remains a major issue.

According to the Tennessee Department of Education, during the 2023–24 school year there were 12,197 reported cases and 5,439 confirmed cases of bullying.

These, however, are only the cases that were reported. The real question is, how many are reported to school staff and are ignored?

In many instances these have ended tragically. The common theme is that the parents reached out to the school on numerous occasions regarding bullying only to have those concerns disregarded or not addressed sufficiently.

“Josiah Michael Dwinell died in Alstead, New Hampshire, on March 12 — just eight days after his 13th birthday. His family told local outlet WMUR they believe he took his own life after finding it increasingly difficult to deal with teasing from other pupils,” according to the Daily Record. “He was being bullied at school and on the bus. Not one person outside his home tried to help him.”

Autumn Brooke Bushman, 10, of Roanoke, died on March 21. According to her parents, the Roanoke County Public Schools district told Summer Bushman that it was handling the bullying allegations after the family first reported them.

“They said they had handled it, and that was about as far as it went,” Mark Bushman said in an interview with WSLS. “But, as far as we know, what we were told—at least by our daughter—was that it kept happening.”

“An 11-year-old, Jocelynn Rojo Carranza in Gainesville, Texas, took her own life after being bullied by her peers,” the Huffington Post reported.

11-year-old Sophia Ballinger of Sumner County, Tennessee, passed away after her family says she took her own life after being bullied at school.

“The family of a 12-year-old girl who died after a fight at a school bus stop in Georgia is demanding a transparent investigation,” according to ABC 7.

“Attorneys for Jada West’s family claim there were ‘reports of bullying’ prior to the fight in suburban Villa Rica, about 30 miles west of Atlanta.”

Many parents are under the illusion that the school system will protect their children. That is a dangerous illusion. In Tennessee all allegations of bullying are required to be investigated. If your child has been a victim of bullying, make sure the school is following state law. Contact school officials immediately, as well as your local board of education. Report bullying to law enforcement if you feel that the allegations warrant it. Do not depend on the school to do this for you.

If a child alleges that they are experiencing bullying at school, I urge parents to remove their child from the environment. Bullying is not a normal part of childhood. Children deserve to be safe and protected. Do not rely on the chance that the school system is going to protect your child. Don’t allow your child to become a statistic. If you need assistance removing your child from public school, contact us at freeyourchildren@gmail.com. If your child has experienced bullying and you feel it has not been adequately addressed please contact us. We will respect anonymity.

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. — Luke 8:17

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