Members of the Los Angeles Police Department say they are pleased to have kicked off National Bullying Prevention Month.

Department leaders, community members and elected officials have said it is important that all citizens understand the dangers of bullying.  Not only does this problem need to be addressed, they said, but it needs to be prevented before it starts.

Local LGBT leaders say that as many as 6 out of 10 LGBT identified teens say they are scared to go to school because of past experiences with bullying.

A State Senator was also on hand to speak.   Sen Ted Lieu said that children who are bullied should not hesitate to contact a teacher, adult or other family member.   Letting these instances go unpunished is just not acceptable.  It puts everyone at risk.

One fourth-grader reportedly talked about how she had been picked on as a second-grader.  The older girls teased her because they did not like the color of her skin.  The young girl said she is half white and half black, so she didn't look like other people in her class.   She said the bullying got so bad that she was afraid to put her hair in a pony tail.

Although the bullies never threatened her physically, the emotional scars were long lasting.

LAPD officials have said the best way to empower children is to teach them that they can fight the problem.  Telling someone, they said, can prevent the problem from getting worse.

Officers have pointed out that each year thousands of children across the nation are bullied because of their race, socioeconomic status, the way the look and for their sexual orientation.  Too many children are taking their lives because they feel as if they have no other way out.

Department members urge families to be proactive in addressing this problem.