Thousands Take Stand Against Bullying

DETROIT (WWJ)  - Stand4Change anti-bullying events were held all over the country -- including Detroit -- Friday.

Country music station WYCD co-sponsored an event at Campus Martius, where Dearborn Heights resident Savanah Berry said she's been the victim of bullying.

"It hurts ... the name calling ... ever since I was 7 years old but honestly, the names just come to me and it doesn't do anything to me but at the end of the day I'm still here, I'm alive," said Berry.

Also in attendance  at the event was parent Jill Tavano of Lake Orion, who thinks these types of events are important.

"I think sometimes kids don't even recognize what is bullying and what is not bullying and I know that some of the stories that she comes home with, you know, it borderline bullying - just leaving kids out," added Tavano.

There was music from country singer Ty Stone and American Idol alum Casey James - as but Defeat the Label president Jeff Sakwa said part of the campaign is awareness, noting that one in seven kids is bullied.

"There's mental abuse, there's mental abuse, the cyber bullying ... it goes 24-7 on the computer - it's a rotten thing," said Sakwa.

Aqua and others are trying to raise money for their own app for a 24 hour help line called 'bully shout'.

It's estimated that there are thirteen million school children are bullied each year and that 160,000 students stay home from school every day due to bullying.

Stand4Change is an international event that has been put together by the local anti-bullying organization Defeat The Label.

In 2012, in the state of Michigan … the Senate passed a bill making May 4th an official day and the National Educational Association has helped take this international… which means that 170 countries and 30 million teachers were encouraged to participate.

Learn more about Stand4Change here.