Anti-Bullying Community kickoff event

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- An anti-bullying event will be held this May 20th at a local gym.

The Anti-Bullying Community is holding its kickoff event at the Fieldhouse in Zanesville. Board member, Teri Clapper said this program is meant to try and stop bullying in schools. She said events like these allow people to tell their stories.

“Everybody has a story. A lot of bullying comes from people not knowing and not knowing what they can do to stop a bully. If they see bullying, or if they are a victim, what they can do and how they can stand up for themselves and be assertive in a way that doesn’t cause conflict,” said Clapper.

Clapper said there will be a school approved self-defense seminar which is intended to stop bullying. Another seminar will be ‘Power of your Voice’.

“Students can use (it) to redirect the bullying. Maybe stop them and get that self-confidence that they need to stand up to bullying. As we’ve learned in developing this organization, that either somebody was bullied as a parent when they were in school or their student themselves is being bullied and they’re not quite sure how to handle it,” said Clapper.

This event is free and open to the public. It will be Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. There will be several classes and speakers going on throughout the event.