The best policy

A year ago this month, 225 published a cover story about bullying in Baton Rouge. Now, local middle-school children are learning about the motives, effects and consequences of bullying thanks to a new anti-bullying campaign called To Be Honest. Five LSU seniors launched the campaign earlier this year.

“It’s time ‘To Be Honest’ about bullying,” the group’s website proclaims. “It occurs everyday, and it affects everyone.”

Campaign team member Jacquelyn Duhon says they hope to have an impact on the community and raise awareness of the issue.

“Kids are really responsive to us,” she says. “They submit stories on the website anonymously, and it gives them hope that they can end it.”

The campaign partnered with LSU athletes who made videos sharing their own bullying stories—videos that are now being shown in schools. Former soccer star and homecoming queen Mo Isom, now a major advocate of the campaign, was both a victim of bullying and, she admits, a bully herself.

“I didn’t let anyone see how deep their words were cutting me,” Isom says. “I started to get really defensive, and how that manifested itself in my life and in my actions is that I started to bully other people.” Those interested in her story and others can find more information and resources at tbhcampaign.com