OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County sheriff is launching a new anti-bullying campaign days after a video of a Liberty High School student being punched from behind went viral.
The incident, which was filmed in October, appears to show a 16-year old getting punched from behind and refusing to fight back in the school hallway as his alleged attackers, three other boys, attempted to provoke him.
According to a report the same student was also assaulted inside the school bathroom and that the teen hesitated to report the incident, fearing retaliation.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Read: Town hall meeting at Carver Middle School tonight to address recent fights, shooting
On Tuesday, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos López and Miss Florida USA Ashley Carino, an Osceola County native, unveiled their new campaign asking parents to be more proactive.
“It’s only going to get worse, and you really affect people’s lives until they’re adults,” López said
Read: Shots fired in East River High School parking lot, district says; no injuries reported
He advised parents that if they became aware that their child might be bullying others, they should act quickly and end that behavior.
Child Psychologist Jim West said parents are the key to combating bullying.
Read: More than a dozen students arrested for violence, threats in Central Florida schools Thursday
“We need to help parents open up their ears, just be open to that your kids could be engaging in these bullying behaviors and get help for them” West said/
After the video went viral, the school district reported that the attackers had been punished appropriately but legally couldn’t provide more details on the punishments.
See video of incident below:
This browser does not support the video element.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.