The Hope Witsell Tragedy – A Mother Steps Up to Stop Cell Phone Bullying
Hope Witsell
Kids have been bullied since the start of time, but today’s kids are facing a whole new kind of bullying that includes cell phones, texting, and social networks. The ease of communication brought about by the rise of technology is bringing about a brand new breed of bully – the cyber bully - when will it all stop?
In the past few weeks we’ve had to pay a lot of attention to bullying and the horrific reactions it can have on those on the receiving end. Tyler Clementi, Ty Smalley, Jesse Logan, and Hope Whitsell – names that should live forever in our consciousness as reminders to be proactive in responding to both the bullied and the bullies.
For their part CNN is featuring a week-long focus on bullies and what we can do to solve to problem. Today’s story featured the tragic story of Hope Witsell and the cyber bullying she received courtesy of a cell phone.
What is Hope’s mom, Donna Witsell, doing to stop schoolyard bullying?
The Hope Witsell tragedy is troubling at its core – mostly because it all started with a simple cell phone picture and ultimately ended with her decision to commit suicide at the age of 13. Things turned sour for the middle schooler after Hope decided to send a ‘sext’ to her then boyfriend. As these things happen, the photo ended up in the hands of someone it wasn’t intended for and was distributed across the city. For Hope, the bullying started verbal and quickly ramped up to physical attacks.
“She was afraid to walk alone, she was afraid someone would do something to her, like verbally attack her, so she would always have someone with her,” her friendLexi Leber says. “We had to make like a wall, we had people surrounding her, and she had to be in the middle because people would come by and try to hit her and push her into a locker or something.”
Summer vacation allowed for brief respite from the bullying, but when classes resumed in the fall things grew much worse. A ‘Hope Hater’ page popped up on Facebook and the name calling began to be too much for the middle schooler. On September 12, 2009, the eighth grade made the tragic decision to end the bullying by hanging herself from her canopy bed.
Today Hope’s mom, Donna Witsell has started a group called Hope’s Warriors that works to combat bullying and save other moms from feeling the horrendous pain that she feels at the loss of her daughter.
Donna Witsell says: “It happened to my daughter, it can happen to yours too. No one is untouchable. No one is untouchable.”
Parents can help stop schoolyard bullying by taking a proactive roll in their kids lives – both online and offline. Teach your kids to always be kind and understanding to others, it will be a lesson they will value throughout their lives.
I am very sorry for your loss of your cherished daughter. I can only imagine your heartbreak. I think for most that bullying and shaming start at home. Thank you for working on breaking the chain.
I try to live this idea:
Why not practice mindful speech by using Socrates’ triple filter. Ask yourself: Is is true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?
These days
Why not practice mindful speech by using Socrates’ triple filter. Ask yourself: Is is true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?
Thank you for working on breaking the chain.
Could you post some more on Hope’s Warriors? It sounds like a very inspiring effort, but I’ve not heard of it before, and it appears either this story or the Anderson Cooper CNN story of this same date (Oct 7th) is the source of this bit of news. Thanks!
This was a good read. It made me laugh. I hope this happens again, it would give me pleasure.
Sounds like a good idea (hopes warriors) Is there a way to get this group started in ALL SCHOOLS across the nation?
I am looking for ( and hopeful of) a website for Hope’s Warriors! It is a great, yet bittersweet, legacy for your beautiful young daughter to leave. One child is too many when it comes to youth suicide because of bullying. I am so sorry for the pain of your loss. Thank you for creating this group.
Hope have been constantley in our mind and in our heart,and we want you to know that if the thoughts of others could bring you any comfort, you should be feeling much better already, because of the many thoughts that have gone your way.
Certainly Hope didn’t deserve this! May Hope rest in peace & we’re sending our sincere condolences to her family.
Remember we’re always thinking of your family with good wishes and heartful hope that you all feeling better each day!
Frank & Shirin from Iran
My sincere condolences to Hope’s family. Although I was a victim of school bullying myself, it was long before technology took its place in such cruel acts. I can only image what it would have been like. I mentor middle- and high-school children and do find that I am overly sensitive to anything that even remotely seems like bullying, doing what I can to put a reasonable, rational stop to it. After reading this, one of my new goals at the schools where I volunteer may be to start a group for Hope’s Warriors. Hope and her family will be in my prayers along with the hope that the thoughtlessness of youth shall not cause another such tragedy.
I too would like more info on Hope’s Warriors. I pulled my daughter out of a school because a ganger decided he wanted to rape her. She was in 7th grade. Some of the girls at the school stood up for her and protected her. She is now home-schooled. So is my 8 year-old. She was getting punched because she would not do other kids’ homework. The substitute teacher did nothing. The school admin was furious, I was happy for that, but the damage was done. She has been bullied so badly in past schools that she cries when it’s time to go to school. She is home-schooled now too. I happily sacrificed my business as a computer consultant to focus on her needs and schooling. Bullying is not like it was when I was a kid. It is so much worse now. I place full blame on parents who are either afraid or don’t know how or care to teach and discipline their kids. Add to that violent children’s shows (anyone actually watch Nickelodeon? My kids are not allowed to!) and video games. Why do we still foster gang mentalities? There is more help and programs available to “minorities” than to my family! Time for this stop, people to grow up and start thinking and caring and holding those accountable for what they do.