Bullying: A Local Student Speaks Out

, D-Monterey Park, and other local officials urged Governor Jerry Brown to pass anti-bullying legislation at a press conference at Garvey Middle School Thursday morning.

One of the press conference speakers was sophomore Tabitha Bowles, a bullying victim who has been instrumental in the creation of the anti-bullying bill (AB 1156).

To see video of Tabitha speaking about her bullying experience and urging Governor Jerry Brown to pass the anti-bullying bill Thursday, click here. 

Bowles spoke with Patch about bullying she experienced in the San Gabriel Unified School District starting at age 11 that caused her to eventually transfer to the .

Would you mind talking more about your bullying experience?

I was assaulted at school by boys and I had rocks thrown at me and I had one hit my head—I had a few hit me actually. I had girls laugh at me because of it. They were just standing there laughing like it was funny and I had to go to the hospital and I’ve been through therapy for a few years now just trying to get past some of it.

What message do you have for kids going through bullying right now?

I would tell them (long pause) I’m not sure.

What resources helped you most?

My family was there for me through it all; they’re still here for me. They’re my biggest support.

How are you involved with the anti-bullying bill (AB 1156)?

My family and I have an organization called Kids Speak Up and we went to Mike Eng asking him to put together some type of bill because we came up with this idea to get it out there, that this is an important topic and it needs to be addressed.