I'm a 34 year old woman that has been bullied on and off my whole life. It started when I was a child with a nickname my grandma called me. Of course back then being bullied was pretty much name calling and hurt feelings. Now for the first time as an adult, I was bullied. I didn't think it could happen now, but it did. At my work place. I have verbally harassed, rumors have spread, this "woman" has been in my face. Now most of this has happened in front of my manager with nothing being done to stop it. As an adult I have to options of quitting or/and contacting an attorney. Children do not have this option. I have been told "we'll look into it" (that's my favorite), "maybe you should reevaluate the situation". The fact is that bullying is out of control, it's happening in schools, work environments and even just by strangers. I can't imagine if I was a teenager and talked to as if it was my fault. I had the same feelings of helplessness I did as a child while this was happening. I wish I could say that it will stop, but it won't. I wish I could tell kids that it will get better, but it really doesn't it. People like all of us need to take these stands for the ones who can't or no longer can. Child bullies grown up too and for some of them they just find new people and ways to torment and new excuses. For all of you reading this that have or are the victim of bullying and you don't feel like anyone is taking you serious, please find some to talk to. Someone out of the school system, someone other than your family and friends. Find people like all of us online that will always be here to help, listen, support and go head to head with bullies for you.

Barbara