LIMA, OHIO -
Words like confident and outgoing are typically used to describe a pageant queen. But the current Miss West Central Ohio says cyberbullies tried to take those attributes away from her in middle school.
"It completely ruined my self esteem. I mean, I was so shy. People would send me messages saying I was ugly. I never thought I'd be competing in a pageant up on a stage. It took a lot to overcome it," said Elissa McCracken, Miss West Central Ohio.
McCracken's experience is becoming more and more common. So, the Ohio Attorney General's Office is hosting workshops across the state, including one in Lima, called Cyberbullying 101. Organizers say they're reaching out to law enforcement, victim advocates, school staff, and mental health professionals so the whole community can share their experiences and solutions.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 70 percent of students play some role in bullying--whether as a bully, as a victim, or as a witness.
Event organizer, Kathleen Nichols, has one overarching plea to those 70 percent of students.
"Report it, report it, report it. Let someone know it's happening so people can intervene and help out," said Nichols, Youth and Juvenile Program Coordinator, Ohio Attorney General's Office.
McCracken agrees with the advice. Cyberbullying prevention is now her platform.
"I want to prevent that from happening to other students and to encourage them to tell someone, so they don't have to suffer like I did."
An update on statutes and legal remedies was offered during the workshop. Ohio's cyberbullying laws have recently changed. The Jessica Logan law was signed in January. The law gives schools the authority to discipline students even if the bullying occurs off school grounds and does not involve school property.
