Covington, Indiana is a small, close-knit, and wholesome family town, and all of us that live here are proud to call it home. But when Covington Middle School 7th grader Terry Badger III was bullied so severely that he took his own life, we were devastated. Terry was just 13 years old when excessive bullying at school left him feeling so incredibly hopeless that he committed suicide. He had his entire life left to live, but the torment he endured made him believe that there was no way out. One can only imagine the pain, agony, and hurt he felt every single day. 

Our community rallied behind the Badger Family, and this petition stands to do the same. We have to demand that the Indiana State Senate pass HB 1483 immediately and protect our children from cruelty and bullying. Terry deserved better, and we cannot let this happen again. Sign and share the petition now. 

HB 1483 will help stop bullying and protect victims in a variety of ways in Indiana schools: bullying victims safety will be prioritized, schools are required to report bullying to both families rapidly, the victim or perpetrator could be transferred to a different school for the victim’s safety, and parents could be given suicide and bullying prevention material to review. 

This bill passed unanimously in the House over a month ago. It currently sits on lawmaker’s desks, awaiting a vote in the Senate. Too much time has passed and bullying victims remain at-risk. Let’s not put another one of our children to rest too soon. Tell the Indiana general assembly that the schools NEED stronger bullying prevention and interventions in place NOW. Pass HB 1483 and let’s turn this into law. Sign and share today!