IDOE report reveals reports of bullying on the rise across Indiana

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A new report released by the Indiana Department of Education showed a statewide rise in bullying incidents reported during the 2023-2024 school year, including in Elkhart where cries against bullying amplified when tragedy struck in 2022.

It has been more than 2 years since Aaron Ball and family lost their daughter Rio, after she took her own life when bullying at school about her alopecia became unbearable, at just 12 years old.

“That feeling never leaves us, that feeling for Rio not being here is constant,” said Aaron Ball.

It’s something that he has spent every day since hoping no other parent has to endure.

“When we know we have something fairly preventable or at least to a bigger scale than what we are working to towards to prevent now,” added Ball.

Since then, “Rio’s Rainbow" has worked with other parents, schools, and law makers to battle bullying, but still 7,700 incidents were reported during the 2023-2024 school year statewide.

South Bend saw more than 200 incidents.

ABC57 sat down with Superintendent Todd Cummings ahead of the school year on how they hope to address the issue within South Bend Schools.

“Of course we want to see our bullying data come back down, but primarily we want to make sure that our schools are safe, secure, students feel like they belong, and that they have someone they can tell if they feel like they are being bullied,” said Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings.

“Make sure they tell someone there’s a school hotline on our website where you can text or call. Tell your principal, tell your social worker, tell oh make sure you tell someone,” added Cummings.

Rio’s dad says the rise could point to more accurate reporting, now that Indiana Schools are required by law to report bullying data.

“And the reports aren’t necessarily being filed and, in some cases, to have less than 20 instances of bullying for per year is simply not believable, I mean, we all know that can happen in the first 15 minutes in the hallway,” said Ball.

Still, he hopes to continue to spread Rio’s story to try to bring the numbers down.

“This is what she would’ve wanted to have other kids not have to endure, which she endured and for that reason alone, I will keep doing it,” he said.

Rio’s family is holding a speak your truth Rally at the Plaza in Elkhart on September 21st.