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LAPD Kicks Off National Bullying Prevention Month In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday kicked off National Bullying Prevention Month in Hollywood.

KNX 1070's Vytas Safronikas said the department, along with other groups and leaders, wants to motivate the community to recognize, address and prevent bullying throughout October through events, activities, outreach and education. They started by addressing a group of students at Hollywood School House.

LAPD Kicks Off National Bullying Prevention Month In Hollywood

Monica Trasandes with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said studies show six in 10 LGBT kids were afraid to go to school because they were bullied.

"No one should ever be afraid to go to school and no one should be bullied," she said.

State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) also spoke to the kids about the critical issue.

"If you're a child and you're being bullied, you need to tell an adult. If you're a parent and you have a child tell you they're being bullied, you need to tell a teacher or principal. You cannot leave this issue unaddressed," he said.

Fourth-grader Isabelle, 10, said she was bullied two years ago at a different school by older girls because of the color of her skin.

"I didn't fit in very well because I was half-black, so they would tease me on my hair. I was very scared to even wear a ponytail," she said. "They never really physically hurt me, but it just felt like they were hurting my feelings a lot."

The experts said the best way to combat bullying it to teach kids they can do something about it.

"If you don't tell anybody, he'll think he can keep on making it worse, and he will," said a student.

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