As a public-school student in elementary school, I suffered daily at the hands of bullies while my peers remained silent. In 2017, I took a stand by launching the Anti-Bullying Alliance group as a sub-ministry of CommUNITY Church to advocate for reform, change, and legislation. I channeled my passion and experiences into my doctoral dissertation, titled "Peer Intervention During Bullying Incidents," which focused on empowering peers to intervene when bullying is observed. 

Today, bullying remains a pervasive issue affecting the safety and well-being of children across Virginia. In schools, playgrounds, and online, aggressive behavior threatens the mental and emotional health of our youth. Statistics reveal that 1 in 5 students report being bullied, leading to severe consequences such as anxiety, depression, and even self-harm. The urgency to protect our vulnerable youth has never been clearer. 

We call upon the Governor of Virginia and the Virginia General Assembly to take immediate action by enacting comprehensive anti-bullying legislation. A proposed bill, created with input from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, is now with Legislative Services, awaiting sponsorship. This legislation is designed not only to address the immediate safety concerns but also to inspire educational programs aimed at prevention and peer intervention. 


The time to act is now. Help protect the children of Virginia and ensure a safer future for all students. Please sign this petition to urge our state leaders to make this critical legislation a reality. Together, we can foster a community that stands united against bullying.