The demand of the community that changes after the death of 10-year bullying in the southwest of Virginia emphasizes

Rocky Mount, va. -The tragic death of a 10-year-old girl puts bullying in the southwest of Virginia.

About 60 people gathered on Tuesday evening in the Harvester Performance Center in the Rocky Mount to maintain a community forum that focused on combating bullying in schools. Families, educators and students have opened their experiences and demanded real changes.

The mayor of Rocky Mount, Holland Perdue, helped organizing the event.

“This is not just a home problem or a school problem, it is a joint problem,” said Perdue during the forum.

Another speaker was Carol Young, the CEO of Healing Strides of VA. She asked the crowd to think greater than guilt.

“When you raise children, we trust that we do the right thing – the best – for you. “I don't say that it is the guilt of the teacher. I don't say that it is the fault of the parents. I don't say whose fault is. Because I think we all, as a community, we have to be aware of what the situation is.”

The parents said that the emotional toll was difficult, especially when children feel unsafe.

“None of them feel safe at school,” said a mother.

Others pointed out to a lack of consequences for harmful behavior.

“Mobbers, regardless of where they get their behavior from, have to be held accountable,” said Rachelle Hodges, a mother of three children.

Hodges was moved to tears through the history of autumn Bushman, a 10-year-old girl who died by suicide.

“Your story is overwhelming,” she said. “Seeing a mother who mourns her child like this is something, a fear that no woman ever wants.”

The superintendent of Franklin County's public schools, Dr. Kevin Siers, spoke directly to the parents during the event and admitted that Virginia has difficulty making the tools available to effective fighting bullying.

“We have to have the tools and training for our teachers, consultants and social workers in order to be able to work with students and parents in order to repair this damage,” said Siers. “It takes a lot of effort to build these relationships and build this trust.”

“It is not something that can only be solved with a five -minute discipline meeting and a two -day suspension,” he added. “Virginia didn't get there.”

The organizers of the forum said they hope that this conversation will not stop here – and that it does not require any further tragedy before real changes take place.

Further information on efforts and resources for bullying prevention can be found at: