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February 24th, 2013
04:10 PM ET

'The Bully Effect': Personal journeys

The children and parents profiled in Lee Hirsch's eye-opening documentary, "Bully," have experienced a profound transformation in the time since the film was made. AC360's "The Bully Effect" traces the journeys of Alex, Kelby, Kirk, and the filmmaker himself. While their stories are unique, for each, the process has been one of self-discovery and determination.

These snapshots illustrate what they have overcome. For the full picture, watch "The Bully Effect" on February 28 at 10 p.m. ET and March 3 and 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.

The Bully Effect - Alex

The Bully Effect - Kelby

The Bully Effect - Kirk

The Bully Effect - Lee


Filed under: Bullying • The Bully Effect
soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. Zdravko Susko

    Does bullying affect only children?
    I’m 55 years old, student at the University. 5 years ago bullying started at the University and slowly progressed to my work, neighbourhood, family ….. In the begin I ignored it, but as more as I was ignoring, bullying progressed more and more. With the help of social media (Facebook) bullying progressed to cyber bullying, intimidation, horsemint, humiliation. My internet accounts are hacked, my phone is hacked, criminals obtained key from my unit and for two years they would go through my personal belongings. Anything that could compromise me was posted on the internet. I had work and place where I was living. I’m student and I tried to live my live. I made hundreds complaints to all instances, recorded harassment, intimidation, humiliation.. 2010 I attempted suicide at the University, after that everything went silent for couple days. After couple days Newcastle found it as personal failure that I was not dead and stepped up their campaign. In Melbourne (Victoria) girl killed herself due to cyber bullying, Victorian government brought immediately new legislation in regard of cyber bullying. Couple months Australian government makes announcement on the TV about the new law in regard of the cyber bullying. When I made my complaint no one has responded, Federal Police send me email stating that it was not the crime of the Commonwealth. At work things progressed from intimidation to the harassment and humiliation, smear campaign was organised. From simple bullying that started at the Newcastle University things have progressed this far that I’m now homeless. From involvement of the Newcastle University students things got now as far that Newcastle bikies and their drug slaves are heavy involved. You can read everything in detail, I’m posting everything on Facebook and G+, it is all on the public domain.

    March 1, 2013 at 11:25 pm |
  2. jenn

    I would love to know more about the principle at Alex's school... I felt she dealt with the issue of bullying in a manner I found insulting to the victims.

    February 28, 2013 at 1:53 pm |
  3. kimmy

    Notice my name? I am a male and proud of my name. It is Kim and my wife has called me kimmy for over 40 years.
    When I came to Canada in '57 my name was a subject of taunting. There is a fine line between hate and bullying. They are still the same to me.
    We are all equal. Emphasis on ALL.

    February 26, 2013 at 4:29 am |
  4. Joy

    Being taught right from wrong starts in the home. Parents & school need to be more vigilent. As a person who was bullied, i firmly believe that the bully should be punished(the first time they do it), undergo intensive counseling. If there's a second incident, severe punishment, stiff parental fines & more intensive counseling. If that does'nt work , then bootcamp for 6 monthes to a year. Those that are being bullied need to be encouraged to tell & keep telling until someone listens & ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT. As for the adult bullies, they need to be publicly horse whipped.

    February 25, 2013 at 10:43 pm |
  5. Mr. DeShon

    As a victim of bullying & later a bully myself, I find myself @ times still trying to heal the scars. I wish I could find every kid I hurt from my words/ actions & tell them about the abuse I was experiencing @ that time. A alcoholic stepfather & a narcisistic mother, add in a frequently absentee dad,& you have a recipe for a raging, depressed teen. I just want to apologize to all them because I know now they were hurting too & I preyed on their pain. Im sorry for that. And to all the kids going through this now, the folks who hurt you are weaker than you. They are cowards inside but they hide behind their mask. You are the truely powerful one here & they are jealous of that. Walk proud & keep telling somebody in charge until someone finally listens to you. Good karma to all of you.

    February 25, 2013 at 7:42 pm |
  6. Loretta

    It is obvious something MUST be done about the tragedy of bullying. I believe two things could be done (1) start making parents of bullies liable for fines or even imprisonment for the acts of their minor children, and (2) start a buddy system of assigning older students to accompany younger ones who have reported being bullied. I think another thing that might help is to have very severe penalties levied on bullies whenever they can be caught; they usually enjoy an audience during their bullying. This would be in addition to the penalities on parents.

    February 25, 2013 at 2:28 pm |