Hundreds turned out for a candlelight vigil that took place in San Jose on Friday, December 11th, in an effort to raise attention to the problem of cyber bullying. The rally took place one year after Amanda Brownell, a 17 year old Del Mar High School girl, tried to take her own life. Brownell survived, but now suffers from severe brain damage.

According to the girl’s mother, Ann Brownell, a month before the tragedy two of Amanda's classmates were texting thousands of messages to her, bullying her and making up things about her. Ann Brownell’s group - PACT, People Acting in Community Together has recently formed "the Amanda Network" to raise awareness about bullying.

Amanda Brownell’s story

Source: Raising Awareness About Cyberbullying, KCB S San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, December 12, 2009

Tags: Cyber bullying. Awareness, suicide, texting