Phoebe Prince Suicide: South Hadley High School Didn't Use Advice to Stop Bullies, Says Expert

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Phoebe Prince (Personal Photo)

BOSTON (CBS/AP) School officials at South Hadley High School didn't follow all the anti-bullying advice they were given months before 15-year-old Phoebe Prince committed suicide, according to a consultant who offered the tips.

Barbara Coloroso said she consulted with parents and administrators months before the harassed freshman hanged herself in January.

Police say she endured months of verbal assaults and threats, mostly in school and in person, although some of the bullying occurred on Facebook and in other electronic forms.

"The questions to ask are: Did they follow their own rules and did they keep Phoebe safe? Obviously not. And, did they deal effectively with the bullies? Obviously not," Coloroso told The Associated Press Tuesday.

Nine students face charges in connection with the girl's death, including two teen boys charged with statutory rape and a clique of girls charged with stalking, criminal harassment and violating Phoebe's civil rights.

School officials won't be charged, even though authorities say they knew about the bullying.

South Hadley High School is located in South Hadley, Mass., about 90 miles east of Boston.

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 5, 2010 - Phoebe Prince "Suicide by Bullying": Teen's Death Angers Town Asking Why Bullies Roam the Halls
January 27, 2010 - 15-Year-Old Girl's Suicide May Have Been the Result of Cyberbullying

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by scaryoldlady May 10, 2010 8:06 PM EDT

Shame on you all. As educators and adults your job was to protected that young lady. They should be the first ones to be questioned. We know teenagers do stupid things but it's our job to tell them to STOP.

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by AnnieDanny June 6, 2010 11:27 AM EDT: What bothers me is that teens could be so vicious. This is more than just stupid teen behavior. More than just pranking. I can't dismiss it as mere child play. It's a whole lot worse than that.


by chrsyfrl2010 April 25, 2010 4:07 PM EDT: Blame the teachers, blame the admins... I don't see much blame for the students who broke many laws by harrassing this girl, nor do I see ANY blame for the parents of these malicious students! These weak willed parents raised spoiled, entitled brats who get away with awy too much. These types of students bully their classmates, teachers, parents, siblings even friends. Who created these teen monsters? Not the victims (agree with Farver4girls 100%!!), not the movies, not the teachers who see these kids for an hour a day for about 180 days of their loves! THE PARENTS of these kids created them!
Bullying is rewarded too! How many of us have sat in a resturant (or worked in one) where a rude, obnoxious, unreasonable customer was rewarded and placated with free drinks or reduced bill? How many of us witnessed or dealt with harassing customers who are placated by a manager with free coupons? I would bet these kids saw their parents bully waiters, store clerks, employees and grew up thinking that's how the world works. I bet these parents never helped these kids deal with the fustrations of life, but instead placated them with video games, clothes and STUFF.
Our society celebrates ugly behavior and lack of empathy. Reality shows that showcase primadonnas throwing temper tantrums are raising our children. No tolerance, no patience, no empathy. The parents of these bullys are to blame for the bully's lack of foundational values.; Reply to this comment


by texmom April 8, 2010 1:18 PM EDT: I don't understand why the school is not being held responsible. That makes no sense! They were the adults in charge of protecting the students! That's crap!; Reply to this comment


by pak31 April 6, 2010 10:15 AM EDT: I have not read anything about it but why are the two boys charged with rape?? Is it against Phoebe?? If she was raped did her parents know prior to her death? I am just curious if anyone knows. I am so confused by this story because she seems like she was both physically and mentally abused beyond belief yet nothing was done. I don't get it. Why didn't her parents call the police? I am asking these questions because so many reports about her and her life are very vague.; Reply to this comment


by Farver4girls April 3, 2010 10:34 AM EDT: When I studied Psychology 101 in college many years ago, I remember reading an article in my psychology textbook which stated that "scapegoats" (the victims of bullying) do things to make the other kids pick on them.

This belief has got to go! This belief is hurting our children! This belief is the reason why teachers, school counselors, school administrators, school nurses, etc. don't stop bullying. They were taught in Psychology 101 that "scapegoats" do things to make bullies pick on them.

Isn't that rather like saying that the victims of crime do things to make criminals pick on them?

This belief also reinforces the negative feelings "scapegoats" feel about themselves. Gosh, the victims got hurt bad enough by the bullies. Do the victims deserve to be hurt by teachers, counselors and administraters too?

Stop bullying. Stop blaming victims. Re-educate teachers, school counselors, school administrators, etc.; Reply to this comment


by teengirl218 April 3, 2010 9:15 AM EDT: It was just two years ago that I was 15 and a freshman in high school. Reading the stories of this girl breaks my heart and makes me so angry. This teachers should be fired and get the same punishment as the nine students, if not worse. Teachers are there to give you a home away from home, to teach you but the help you when you need it. I walk the halls of a big high school everyday, 400+ students in each grade and it is understandable that you may not know every student that is bullied but these teachers were told by her and her mother! Standing back and not standing up for this girl cost her her life. It is probably the most pathetic thing I have heard! I have read numerous articles on this case and some teachers handled things. How exactly does that work? Did they think talking to or scolding these students keep high schoolers from living in the drama?
I see it everyday. You don't like someone so in order to get attention and have your friends on your side you make exaggerated stories of how you hate this girl/boy. If they hear about it and word is out you hate them, all of a sudden it's okay to tell them to their face that you hate them and make them feel like nothing.
No high school student is innocent of this, everyone name calls. But this is a tragedy and has totally shifted my view on high school and how you treat people. You have no idea how bad it is until someone goes through it, like poor Phoebe.
I am proud to say that after this happened our school posted banners and signs the said "Take the Pledge, Stop Bullying" and everyone that wanted to, painted their hand, made a handprint, signed their name, and took a pledge to stop bullying. It felt good, but I hope other schools try things like this too. Our principle is trying hard as well giving words of advice on bullying every morning on the announcements and starting up a program we had last year called "Change Agents" (program to stop bullying).
I know that no one can change what has happened to this girl but I hope it opens eyes. I tell my friends everyday: One day is worth two tomorrows. You never know when tomorrow will be gone or when you will be paying the consequences the rest of your life for a day you were not thinking. R.I.P Phoebe and my most sincere condolences to her family!; Reply to this comment


by kleibow April 2, 2010 10:26 AM EDT: I am a parent of two teenagers. This is an outrage! Phoebe died a needless death. This could have definitely been prevented. School administrators and some teachers at South Hadley High School should be at least fired! Zero tolerance! The administrators and teachers of this school have permitted a hostile environment to evolve, and they never took corrective action. The highest priority and sense of urgency should be on everyone?s radar when it comes to the safety and welfare of our children. The teachers and school administrators are responsible for educating our children and providing a safe environment to learn. After a thorough investigation, I believe some of these South Hadley school administrators, teachers and parents have accountability and should pay by way of the criminal and civil court system. What disgusts me the most is that these criminal students still bullied Phoebe on her memorial websites. Where is the remorse for the death of Phoebe and her family from the parents of these bullies? Where is the remorse from the South Hadley High School Superintendant and Principal? Where is the remorse from the South Hadley School teachers? Human rights, civil rights and the life of Phoebe Prince has been violated and destroyed. All direct and indirect parties involved including students and adults should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I applaud the district attorney and hope she has the courage to bring justice to this horrific crime. This is tragic. May Phoebe Prince rest in peace...; Reply to this comment


by BP1IN March 31, 2010 4:20 PM EDT: The administrators should go to jail with the 9 young people. This is just not right. The administrators are being protected. One teacher said that "their school isn't like that or I wouldn't teach here". That makes no sense because their school is like that, so have they resigned. All people, young and old, who let this happen, should be facing justice. I can only imagine what Phoebe's parents are feeling towards the school. For them it's way too late and they lost a daughter. I can't imagine losing my daughter this way.; Reply to this comment


by tmittelstaed March 31, 2010 2:30 AM EDT: "...and they should feel awful knowing what they did drove a young girl to commit suicide...that is with them for the rest of their lives...even if they do not get a serious punishment...and they should...then they will know what they did...it will get to them eventually..."

Trust me, it won't. These type of people only learn how to behave after they end up in jail. They will go through their lives believing that "it's the other guys fault". It's people like this who were out there flipping homes and caused the economic meltdown, in their world, it's never their fault.

It won't be until they are bankrupt and living out of their cars that they will learn anything.; Reply to this comment


by redneckmama7 March 31, 2010 1:26 AM EDT: i just cant believe that the school administrators are walkin away with no responsibility why are they being protected? they chose not too protect pheobe so why do the even deserve it? they dont they all should be fired and loose their license i think it is ridiculous that they get paid to watch our children for 6 or more hours and yet they dont protect them the actually act like nothing is happening and yet if you lay a hand on your child and the school administrators even think your child has been spanked they are quick to call CPS but when a child is being not only physically abbused but also mentally abbused while in their care nothing is said or done. so tell me this why should we continue to want to put more money into education when most of the people that work at the schools dont actually care enough about the safety of our children? i live in the state of utah and right now my friend and her daughter are going through similar situations and all they can say to my friend is just teach her at home or work it out with the school yet another look the other way cause we really dont care about your childs education. im just sick of the way our school system is how many more childrens lives will be lost before they man up and do their damn job i say if you cant do it without makin it a popularity contest then step aside one doesnt need an education to teach respect and make room for those who actually do care about the children; Reply to this comment