By Katie Britton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-996837.mp3
Albany, NY – On a daily average 160,000 children miss school because they fear they will be bullied if they attend classes.
More than 75% of students are subjected to harassment by a bully or cyberbully and experience physical, psychological, and/or emotional abuse.
The facts are startling, and so many choose to turn a blind eye to children being harassed and bullied by others. Writers Megan Kelley Hall & Carrie Jones have decided to take a stand against bullying, and have edited a book called Dear Bully. In it 70 young adult authors tells their stories about being bullied, being the bully themselves, and how they have tried to overcome and learn from the past.
Get help if you're being bullied or know someone who is:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Your Life Your Voice
It Gets Better Project
Trevor Project
Resources for parents & educators:
Teaching Tolerance
International Bullying Prevention Association
Stop Bullying Now!
GLSEN
The Ophelia Project
You can read more stories on the Dear Bully Website.
Throughout the interview we heard from YA authors:
Carolyn Mackler
Heather Brewer
R.L. Stine
Aprilynne Pike
Lauren Oliver
The music used throughout this piece was Taylor Swift's Mean.