United States Attorney's Office In Conjunction With Royal Oak Public Schools Welcome The Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan To Hold A Forum On Anti-Bullying “Strike Out Bullying - Strategies For Protecting Your Child“

The United States Attorney's Office, along with Royal Oak Public Schools join the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan in an effort to increase awareness about bullying prevention.  The Detroit Tigers’ “Strike Out Bullying” initiative in partnership with the Detroit Newspapers In Education, the Department of Justice’s Anti-Bullying Prevention initiative as well as the Royal Oak Schools’ prevention efforts aim to bring attention to the widespread and often underreported problem of bullying in schools.

Bullying creates a climate of fear in schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods.  Victims of bullying suffer from a wide range of psychological and school-related problems including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and even suicide.  One of the key components critical to the success of any anti-bullying effort is community outreach.  In an effort to bring law enforcement and the community together to discuss this very important issue, a town hall meeting entitled "Strike Out Bullying - Strategies for Protecting Your Child" will be held at Royal Oak Middle School, 709 N. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 on Thursday, January 24, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.  Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin has graciously offered to host the town hall and United States Attorney Barbara McQuade along with Fox Sports Detroit broadcaster Mario Impemba will moderate the event.

Highlighted speakers will include Barbara L. McQuade, United States Attorney, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley, III and 2012 American League Champions Alex Avila and Phil Coke.  Avila and Coke a will speak about bullying and how children can root out this serious problem.
United States Attorney McQuade stated, "Preventing bullying, both online and in person, is part of our violent crime reduction strategy.  We do not accept that subjecting children to harassment and intimidation is a necessary part of growing up.  Instead, we want to give children strategies for dealing with bullying so that they can be successful students."          

FBI Special Agent in Charge Foley stated, "Raising awareness about the dangers of bullying and intimidation in schools is a crucial part of the FBI's anti-bullying philosophy. Our goal is to educate students about the importance of stopping bullying and supporting a safe and friendly environment for learning. The FBI is committed to working together to ensure students make healthy choices and continue to respect one another's differences."

Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Lewis-Lakin stated, "Royal Oak Schools strives to be a community of excellence, a place where all students experience success.   We welcome opportunities to work collaboratively in private and public partnerships on initiatives that address critical student needs.   We welcome this opportunity to work together with the Detroit Tigers and the U.S. Attorney's Office on making our schools positive, safe, bully-free zones for student success."

This is a free, ticketed event however, tickets are no longer available.  The event is open to the media.  If you have any questions, please contact Gina Balaya, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office at Gina.Balaya@usdoj.gov or call (313) 226-9758.