Back to School, Not Back to Bullying
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If school gives you a pit in your stomach, you’re not alone. I was verbally, emotionally, sexually, and physically bullied—often by people I should’ve been able to trust. In the 80s/90s we were told “sticks and stones,” “toughen up,” “no tears.” We swallowed the hurt and called it growing up.
Thank God it doesn’t have to be that way now. We have language. We have tools. We have each other.
This Purple Gorilla is here for anyone who needs it—students, parents, teachers, bus drivers, coaches, the kid who sits alone, the kid who acts out because they’re hurting. DM me, email me, say hi at a game. I’ll listen, I’ll point you to resources, and I’m not afraid to confront bullying or go with you to the proper authority.
If you need help right now
In immediate danger: call 911 (or your local emergency number).
Need to talk, feeling hopeless, or worried about someone: Call or text 988 (24/7, U.S.).
Need local services (counseling, housing, food, legal help): First Call 211 or dial 2-1-1.
Power Tools (share these!)
StopBullying.gov: what bullying is, how to report it at school, cyberbullying steps, state laws, printable action plans.
Rachel’s Challenge: school programs that replace fear with connection and kindness (assemblies, trainings, student clubs).
First Call 211: one door to many local supports.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (free, confidential).
A simple plan if you’re being bullied
Name it. “This is bullying.” (Not a joke you have to accept.)
Document it. Save texts/DMs, screenshots, dates, names, locations.
Tell a safe adult today (parent/guardian, counselor, teacher, coach). If the first adult minimizes it, tell another.
Report it in writing to the school (counselor or admin). Ask about the investigation timeline and safety plan.
Protect your spaces.
- Online: block/mute, lock down privacy, report to the platform, change passwords, consider a new group chat.
- In person: travel with a buddy, change routes, sit near supervising adults.
Get support. Counseling is not a punishment—it’s armor and healing. Try school counseling or 211.
Loop me in. If you want backup, I’ll walk with you (virtually or IRL) to the right people.
If you’re a parent/guardian
Believe your kid first. Thank them for telling you.
Write a short timeline with your child (dates, screenshots).
Email the school (counselor/administrator) with the facts and request a safety plan.
Follow up kindly but firmly. “What are today’s next steps? When can we check in?”
Model boundaries online. Don’t fight kids on the internet. Save, report, escalate.
Care for the nervous system. Sleep, nutrition, movement, counseling. Hurt brains heal better with routine.
Believe your kid. Yeah, I put this twice because too many parents gloss over bullying. Time to end that.
If you’re a teacher/coach/staff
Interrupt the moment: “We don’t do that here. Take a seat by me.”
Document & route: write what you saw/heard; send it to admin/counselor the same day.
Scan the edges: bathrooms, buses, group chats, sidelines. Bullying hides in the margins.
Seed connection: structured partners, inclusive teams, zero-hero tables (“sit here, you’re safe”).
Use the programs: Ask leaders about Rachel’s Challenge or similar climate programs.
Scripts (because words are hard in the moment)
To the bully (calm voice): “Stop. That’s not okay.”
To a bystander: “Stand with me? Let’s walk them to class.”
To a teacher/admin: “I’m reporting bullying involving [who/where/when]. Here are screenshots. What’s the next step today?”
To yourself: “Their cruelty is not my identity. I am worth protecting.”
Cyberbullying quick hits
Screenshot → Report → Block/Mute → Tell an adult → Adjust privacy.
Don’t clap back. Your safety and receipts matter more than the last word.
If sexual content is involved: save evidence, tell a trusted adult, and report. (Schools must respond; platforms remove it; law enforcement may help.)
A word to the kid who’s been the bully
Hurt people hurt people. That can stop with you—today.
Own it. Apologize without a “but.”
Make repair (private apology, replace damaged property, accept boundaries).
Ask for help; sometimes anger is grief wearing a mask. Counseling isn’t a failure—it’s freedom.
Why PGD is loud about this
Because I know what it’s like to carry bruises on the outside and the inside. You are not weak for asking for help. You’re brave. And you’re not alone. As a community we can make “Back to School” mean back to safety, back to kindness, back to thriving.
If you need a hand—message me. I’ll listen, I’ll connect you to support, and if needed I’ll stand next to you when you report.
Share & Save
Keep these links handy:
StopBullying.gov • Rachel’s Challenge • First Call 211 • Call/Text 988
We’ll pin this post and link it on all our Back-to-School graphics. Send it to someone who needs to know they’re worth protecting.
Stay kind. Stay loud. Purple Gorilla’s got your back.