How would you feel if your child started refusing to go to school?
Some parents think their children are just distracted or feeling lazy, but most of the time, children avoid school because of something much more significant.
Harassment and teasing are serious problems in the United States.
1 in 5 school-aged children experiences harassment from peers in different ways.
Nothing is much more powerful than the young voices of those who are at the receiving end of this unkindness.
Delanie Marcotte was one of those children who stood up against this behavior.
At a Timberlane School Board Meeting, parents, teachers, and the scholastic community were gathered to tackle the growing problem.
In a remarkable moment, the fifth-grader stood up, walked to the bench, and pulled out the chair.
This time, she claimed her right to speak up.
In an interview with a CBS affiliate, her father, Todd, originally planned to speak.
He said he was getting ready to go up the bench when young Delanie asked where he was going.
When he said what he was about to do, his daughter asked, “Can I go?”
Feeling the moment’s importance, Todd obliged and supported his daughter from his seat instead.
Delanie detailed her experiences at school which broke the hearts of those who were listening.
“I have been threatened to get shot in the head with an AK-47 and buried in my backyard and many other things,” Delanie said. “I ask you, what are you going to do to protect me and my classmates against bullying?”
Delanie also said she was called names and threatened with physical abuse, like being kicked or tripped.
She struggled to hold back her tears because she knew that many kids depended on the words she had written on her own.
Delanie was proud that she had seized that moment for her and others like her.
The moment she finished her speech, the hall thundered with applause from parents, teachers, and board members.
Delanie’s parents were so proud of her because she showed courage despite what she had to endure.
A female board member also said they were very proud of her for coming.
Delanie shared with CBS affiliate WBZ that she was happy she spoke for herself and in her own words.
She hopes that school reforms toward harassment are implemented because this type of harassment, according to her, needs to stop.
According to the statistics, 20% of students aged 12-18 experienced the same thing.
The school, perceived as a safe space for a child or teenager, is one of the main hotspots for this type of abuse.
Half of the victims also reported the incident to an adult.
Demographics of those who are likely to be made fun of are immigrants and those belonging to a lower economic bracket.
Delanie’s story puts these issues under a microscope and reminds us that it takes a community to push back against harassment – as these children, no matter how young they are, feel the real implications of such actions.
Watch this courageous fifth-grader speak up for the victims like her.
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