Throughout the United States a likelihood exists that a child is being bullied as you are reading this. The same is true right here in Lawrence County.

Unfortunately, it has become the rule rather than the exception.

Uncovering bullying in our communities and schools can be a difficult process, but one that needs to be addressed.

Late in 2014, the Ohio Department of Education, in conjunction with Ohio’s Office of Homeland Security, began a tip line for safety issues for our young people dubbed SaferOH. People can contact the tip line buy calling or texting 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764).

While the tip line not only deals with bullying, it is a step in the right direction that can hopefully provide an outlet to help curb some of these instances of school-related issues we are seeing grow more common.

This program is available for free to each public and private school in the state. This is a program that each school should participate in, as it will ultimately provide additional support for our schools relating to safety concerns.

While bullying is nothing new, this epidemic has been enhanced with the emergence of social media and other forms of technology.

It will eat away at the core of our society unless we continue to work together to educate and find solutions like the tip line as a community, state and country.

This is the only way will find a way to alleviate this long-standing issue.