Brutal Bullies: a widespread problem

EUGENE, Ore. -- Bullying, like students, comes in many shapes and sizes.

"Bullying is making someone feel bad or less equal than you are," said Zoe Whittington, a fifth grade student at Awbrey Park Elementary in Eugene.

"I think bullying is more of making someone feel not-so-comfortable, making someone not feel like they want to come to school," said fifth grade student Jordan Harris.

"We've had grouping, where kids have put kids in the 'popular,' 'in-between,' and 'lame' groups," said Whittington. "And they hang out in certain areas and then they group them off based on what they do and how they act."

The bullying behavior is not just limited to middle and high schools; Eugene 4J fifth grader Rocio said she's experienced it all too often.

"These mean girls were picking on me because I wasn't Mexican enough for the Mexican girls, and I wasn't white enough for the white girls," said Rocio. Rocio's mom, Hillaree, asked we not reveal their last names or what school Rocio attends, but said Rocio used to come home crying from school regularly.

"They made me feel like I didn't belong," said Rocio. "They called me these mean names."

"It's hard for me because I just want to take all her pain away, and I just want to, like, hold it for her," said Hillaree.

Rocio told her mom she simply didn't want to go to school.

"There were times where she was just in tears and every once in a while, I'd say 'OK, you can stay home today.' Which is not OK, she needs to be at school, she needs to be learning, she needs to feel comfortable," said Hillaree.

Rocio's mom eventually spoke with staff at her school, which cut down on the teasing, but the bullying isn't completely gone.

"It just breaks my heart to see all these kids going through," said Hillaree.

"No one should have to go through what I went through," said Rocio.