A South Hadley lawmaker whose constituents are shaken by the suspected bullying-related suicide of a teenager praised Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday for standing up for kids who face harassment.Patrick’s personal chat with a victimized 9-year-old boy and warning to bullies over a school intercom was an effective strategy, said Rep. John W. Scibak (D-South Hadley).
“I applaud the governor for what he did. I think the message is, ‘We are watching and we will not tolerate it,’ ” said Scibak, whose community made headlines after South Hadley High School freshman Phoebe Prince apparently killed herself following bullying.
“The perpetrators who may think this is funny or it’s no big deal need to know there are consequences, because without them they’ll just continue to do it,” Scibak said.
Barbara Coloroso, a nationally recognized bullying expert hired by South Hadley officials to educate staff and parents, said Patrick’s actions are only half the battle.
“Bringing in someone as powerful as the governor has a big impact, because he’s an influential human being who’s saying, ‘We’re taking this seriously,’ ” Coloroso said. “But if you say something and there’s no follow-up, it’s more damaging.”
Students need to see that bullies will be punished consistently and that whoever reports the bully will be safe, said Coloroso.
Can anyone stop Patrick from bullying the taxpayers, however?
UPDATE: More from the State House News Service and the Boston Herald.
SECOND UPDATE: From the New York Times, AP and CNN.com.