Thanks in part to a $2,500 grant from the Center for Injury and Violence Prevention at the Virginia Department of Health, parents and students in Roanoke County this fall will have a chance to voice their concerns about bullying.

Four forums will be conducted in Roanoke County this fall to focus on cyberbullying - the relatively recent trend of students' harassing their peers online. Other types of bullying also will be discussed.

The forums will be sponsored by a partnership between the Roanoke County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, the Roanoke County Prevention Council and the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio.

Beth Fobare, president of the council of PTAs, said the partnership is the first of its kind for the organizations.

"Our goal is to get more parents involved with their children and the Internet, so that they can become more knowledgeable about what is happening," she said.

Eleven bullying grants were awarded for the first time this year through the center's 2004 Small Grant Funding Opportunity, according to Youth Violence Prevention Specialist Brian Ambrose. Lynchburg, Rockbridge and Tazewell counties also were awarded grants.

A good work plan and previous experience with youth violence activity and community involvement aided in the center's decision to award a grant to the Roanoke County coalition, Ambrose said.

He also was pleased with the group's focus on cyberbullying because it will gain more attention in the future, he said.

"Cyberbullying is a new topic that we've just been confronted with in the last year," he said.

Fobare, the mother of a senior at Northside High School and a seventh-grader at Northside Middle School, said bullying occurs through e-mail, chat rooms and other means. It's a problem seen most in fourth through ninth grades, she said, although it's not limited to that age group.

"It's just a growing issue, and a lot of people aren't aware of it," she said.

With concerns about bullying in Roanoke County schools, Superintendent Linda Weber said she is pleased that the forums will be held.

"I don't like any of our kids coming to school and not feeling safe," she said. "Anything we can do to cut into that should be done."

Dates and times for the forums haven't been determined, Fobare said. In addition to the forums, the grant will allow the group to air public service announcements, directed by Kevin Jones.

Organizers approached Jones about using his studio as an outlet for adding drama to the group's mission to heighten awareness of bullying.

"People are unaware of bullying," he said. "I had no idea it was as big as it is."

Through funding from a three-year grant awarded to the Roanoke County Prevention Council in October 2001 by the Governor's Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, Jones directed "True Colors." The 30-minute drama staring middle and high school students encourages their peers to take a stand against bullying, cheating, self-injury, substance abuse and disrespecting their parents.

He said he wants the group's efforts to serve as an eye-opener for parents and that kids see an opportunity to realize that they are not alone.

"I hope people can stand up for their convictions once it's all said and done," he said.

Tips to prevent your child from becoming a victim

Instill self-confidence in your child.

Assist him or her in establishing good friendships and other social skills.

Teach him or her to seek help from you or another trusted adult if she or he is harassed.

Try to meet with the bully to work things out; if the problem continues, call or meet with the parent of the bully.

Tips to prevent your child from becoming a bully

Teach your child to respect himself or herself and others.

Clearly state that violence is not acceptable.

Assist your child in finding nonviolent strategies for anger management and conflict resolution.

Present yourself as a model of nonviolent behavior.

Seek help from school counselors for bullying and aggressive behavior.

Source: vahealth.org/civp/index.htm