Life on the Outside

I recently covered a story about a star high school athlete charged with four counts of 3rd degree assault (a misdemeanor in Colorado) against several of his fellow teammates. My angle on the story wasn’t about this particular athlete but about how the local schools routinely turn a blind eye, accept and even condone repeated acts of hazing, bullying and assaults among students and what can be done to put an end to these issues.

While I wasn’t surprised to find the victims of bullying and hazing were unwilling to come forward, I was surprised to find their parents were equally, perhaps even more, reluctant to discuss the issue “on the record.”  A handful would talk to me either anonymously or off the record, but far more wouldn’t talk to me at all. When I asked why they hesitate to come forward — not just to talk to me, but to bring it to school officials — there were two common reasons. The first was a fear of retaliation against their children – not a big surprise there. The other answer? “Why bother, it won’t do any good.”

That’s a fairly sad indictment of the relationship between school staff and parents. Most of the parents I talked to believe school officials, this includes teachers, coaches and school principals, already know about the issues but choose to do nothing about it.

What was far worse were the numerous examples I was given where school staff not only didn’t intervene but actually encouraged the behavior as “just boys being boys.” It was said that some staff members commit their own acts of harrasment, hazing or bullying.

When we first ran the story about the student being charged with assault, I fully expected to see comments from his friends, fellow classmates and team members coming to his aide. However, I didn’t expect to see parents not only defending him but attacking both the police and media for persecuting “this poor kid.” Sorry folks, but the police got involved because a crime was committed and the media has a responsibility to report the news. Our story didn’t include salacious details or speculation but the facts of the story. As long as their are parents willing to look at assault as a normal part of growing up, what are the chances these kids will change their behavior?

I wasn’t present for the attack, I only know what was stated in the police report (which was truly disgusting). I don’t know if he’s innocent or guilty, that’s for a judge to decide next month. I want him to have a fair trial or hearing and fully believe in the cornerstone of our justice system of innocent until proven guilty. But I’m less concerned about the actions of one person than the activities of the school district.

When I questioned staff and a school district representative about the ongoing issues with bullying, there was a strong reluctance to admit their even is a problem let alone do anything about it. Like the saying goes, half the battle is admitting you have a problem in the first place.

This is one of the few times I have ended a story more confused, frustrated and angry than when I started. As a journalist, much of what I encountered couldn’t be included in my story because I couldn’t prove a single word of it. In the end, I had to realize that I couldn’t be the voice or conscience for an entire community. If people want change they’re going to have to speak up for themselves.

For more information on stopping school bullying, here are some great online resources: www.stopbullyingnow.com
www.mayoclinic.com/health/bullying/MH00126
www.nobully.com