Bullying And Our Children Forum To Be Held In Springfield Monday

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — A “Bullying & Our Children,” a free public discussion is being held Monday night in response to the number of bullying issues and incidents being reported and discussed at the Springfield Board of Education meetings.

Springfield Deputy Mayor Maria Vassallo is sponsoring the discussion along with Union County Freeholder Board through the Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

This special presentation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Springfield Town Hall, located at 100 Mountain Ave. in Springfield. Pre-registration is not required.

The presentation will be conducted by Special State Investigator and Acting Union County Detective Dawn M. Correia.

“Social media enables today’s youth to connect with friends and family, express their creativity and explore the world around them. Unfortunately, children can encounter dangers such as doxing, trolling, stalking and catfishing,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The new workshop is designed to update and inform caregivers, and anyone who works with children, so they can help ensure a safe online experience.”

Multiple parents have spoken out recently sharing their children's bullying experiences while in the Springfield school system. The most, well-known story is of 9-year-old Emma Spektor who had to endure daily bullying from classmates for an entire school year, her family says.

Now her mom, Irina Spektor, is fighting the school system to try and get Emma transferred away from the bullies. Spektor has not returned to school in more than two months.

• See Related: Springfield 4th Grader Won't Go To School Because Of Bullies, Mom's Plea For New Classroom Rejected

Other parents have come forward since Spektor's story went public, sharing their own stories.

• See Related: Disturbing Accounts Of Rampant Bullying Shared At Packed Meeting
• See Related: Springfield Family Moves To Get Away From Bullies
• See Related: Springfield Bullying Incident Allegedly Caught On Camera
• See Related: Bullying, Looping Discussed At Springfield BOE Meeting

For more information about Bullying & Our Children, call the Division of Youth Services at 908-558-2520 or visit ucnj.org/youth.

(Image via Union County: Flier for the event.)

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