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If you're a young person reading this article, please note that there are people who can and will help you. Do not remain silent, and do not think that bullying behaviour is acceptable, it's not.
There is help out there for you.
In the United States: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Phone: 866 4-U-Trevor
In Canada: http://www.stopabully.ca/
In The UK: http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tackling_bullying_behaviour/themed_resources/homophobic_bullying.aspx
Here's a reason adults need to be proactive and youngsters MUST be aware:
FINDLAY, Ohio - A Glenwood Middle School student says his arm was broken by two classmates who were bullying him because he's a cheerleader.
Tyler Wilson, 11, wanted to be a cheerleader because he likes to jump and tumble. "I was kinda nervous cause I didn't know anything," said Tyler. "I didn't want to feel... well, because I'm a boy and stuff."
Tyler joined the Findlay Steelers this fall. The city youth football program is unaffiliated with his school, but it was at school where Tyler says he was endlessly bullied by some players from another team. "They were saying that I was a sissy and a queer and stuff like that," said Tyler.
After school on August 31st, Tyler says he was walking home and was repeatedly called names, hit and even knocked down by two students who also broke his arm.
Tyler's mom warned her son that he could be teased, but she didn't want to stop him from trying out. "No, I'm not gonna tell him not to do it if it's something that he's interested in, I want him to enjoy whatever he can enjoy in life," said Kristy Wilson.
According to Kristy, her son lied about what happened to his arm when he came home from school. A doctor informed her of the severity of his injury and once she learned the truth, she called the police. "The police officer did warn me," said Kristy, "These kids are young, I don't know for sure if they'll get prosecuted but in my opinion, because it's a broken bone, he said, I think the prosecutor will take it a little bit more seriously, he said, I am gonna recommend charges."
The police investigation is complete and Kristy just found out the two students could be punished for the actions by the county prosecutor.
Tyler says the teasing hasn't stopped at school, but the football players on the team he cheers for just sent him a card. "It's signed by all the players and the coaches and that's kinda, most likely, it, but some of them wrote down their numbers and it says 'you can do it.'"
Tyler may need surgery, but he continues to stand with his squad on the sidelines and he plans to continue cheering once he recovers. "So I can make a lifestyle out of it and end-up like other boys who are getting full-ride scholarships," said Tyler.
According to Tyler's school principal, any of the bullying that happened on school property is being dealt with by the district, but anything off-campus will be handled by the prosecutor.
The Hancock County Prosecutor was unavailable for a comment.
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