by bullyingrrAdm | May 7, 2026 | BLOG
By Dru Ahlborg, Executive Director BRRC
Bullying continues to impact millions of children each year and the reality that it’s evolving faster than many families can keep up.
Recent data shows that about 1 in 5 students report being bullied, and studies indicate that nearly half of those students fear it will happen again. Even more concerning, cyberbullying and social exclusion have made bullying harder to detect and often more emotionally damaging.
At the Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BRRC), we continue to hear from an increasing number of parents and caregivers here in Colorado and across the country who are searching for answers, support, and hope. One truth remains clear:
Bullying is not about something being “wrong” with the child who is targeted. It is about a harmful choice made by the aggressor.
Who Is Most Likely to Be Targeted?
While any child can be bullied, research continues to show that certain groups of children are more likely to be targeted. Understanding this helps us better protect and support them.
Children who stand out for positive reasons
Kids who are successful, intelligent, creative, or determined are often targeted because they trigger insecurity or jealousy in others.
Children who are more vulnerable or anxious
Youth who are introverted, sensitive, or experiencing stress or depression may be perceived as less likely to defend themselves thus making them targets.
Children who feel isolated
Children with fewer social connections are at greater risk. Research consistently shows that having even one trusted friend can significantly reduce the likelihood of being bullied.
Popular or socially influential youth
Bullying isn’t always about weakness – sometimes it’s about power. Popular students may experience relational bullying like rumors, exclusion, or reputation damage.
Children with noticeable physical differences
Any unique physical trait like height, weight, clothing, or appearance can become a focus for bullying behavior, especially in environments lacking strong adult intervention.
Children with disabilities or medical conditions
Youth with ADHD, autism, learning differences, or medical needs are disproportionately targeted. Inclusive school cultures play a critical role in protecting these children.
LGBTQ+ youth
Data continues to show that LGBTQ+ students experience significantly higher rates of bullying and harassment. Safe, supportive environments are essential.
Children from diverse racial, cultural, or religious backgrounds
Bias-based bullying remains a serious concern and often stems from misunderstanding, stereotypes, or lack of exposure.
Let’s Be Clear: It Is Never the Child’s Fault
Children who are targeted are often told directly or indirectly to change something about themselves. This message is not only wrong – it’s harmful.
No child should ever feel they must change who they are to avoid being bullied.
The responsibility always lies with the child who is choosing to bully and with the adults responsible for addressing it.
Common Myths That Harm Children
Misinformation about bullying can deepen the damage. Let’s address some of the most persistent myths:
“Bullying is just part of growing up.”
It’s not. Bullying is a preventable behavior that causes real harm.
“It makes kids tougher.”
Research shows the opposite. Bullying is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and decreased self-worth.
“Some kids are just born bullies.”
Bullying is learned behavior and it can be unlearned with the right intervention.
“Some kids bring it on themselves.”
No one deserves to be bullied. Ever.
“Telling an adult makes it worse.”
In reality, involving the right adults is one of the most effective ways to stop bullying and many children still stay silent out of fear.
“You’ll always be able to see it.”
Today’s bullying is often subtle: social exclusion, rumor-spreading, online harassment. It can be invisible to adults.
“Ignoring it will make it stop.”
Ignoring bullying often allows it to escalate. Silence can feel like permission to the aggressor.
What Children Need Most From Us
Bullying can leave lasting emotional scars, affecting a child’s sense of safety, identity, and belonging.
That’s why our role as adults is so critical.
We must:
- Listen without judgment
- Take concerns seriously
- Advocate where bullying occurs
- Model empathy and respect
- Act consistently and decisively
At BRRC, we believe that recovery is possible and it begins with being heard, supported, and protected.
Now more than ever, our children need us to step in and not step back.
by bullyingrrAdm | Feb 19, 2026 | NEWS
Mile High City Lifestyle Magazine Article: When Listening Becomes Lifesaving. How BRRC Takes Action Against Bullying:
https://citylifestyle.com/articles/when-listening-becomes-lifesaving
https://citylifestyle.com/milehigh/issues/2026-02
Article by Valerie Bianculli
Originally published in Mile High City Lifestyle
When Dru Ahlborg speaks about bullying, she does so with clarity, compassion, and lived experience. As the Executive Director of the Bullying Recovery Resource Center (BRRC), her work is rooted not in theory, but in a deeply personal journey that began when her son was in middle school.
“When my son was in seventh grade, his behavior started changing,” Ahlborg recalls. “He stopped hanging out with friends. His grades dropped. He became very quiet.” Months later, he finally told her what was happening. “In February, he told me he was being bullied. Verbal bullying. We reported it to the school, and they said they’d take care of it, but it only got worse.”
“Their solution was to put him in a room with the boys who were bullying him and have them work it out,” she says. “Now I know that’s an absolutely horrible idea.”
By Spring, the family made the difficult decision to remove their son from the school. He was later diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. “It was a very challenging time,” Ahlborg says quietly.
What followed was a steep learning curve. After addressing the school board and settling a lawsuit, the family found themselves unexpectedly connected to others with similar experiences. “We were covered in the media, and people from all over the country started reaching out to us,” she says. “Private schools, public schools, charter schools, it was everywhere. That’s when we realized we weren’t alone.”
That realization became the foundation for BRRC, which officially opened its doors in 2017. “We thought, maybe we can be a resource for families just like us,” Ahlborg says.
Through education from a bullying expert and a deep dive into state laws, Ahlborg came to understand a critical distinction. “Conflict is normal,” she explains. “Bullying is different. There’s an intent to harm. It’s repeated or has the potential to be repeated.”
That distinction is central to BRRC’s mission. “Bullying has to be stopped,” she says. “It’s not a negotiation.”
Today, BRRC operates through three core programs: education, community outreach, and advocacy. “Education is about helping parents, schools, and administrators truly understand what bullying is and how to intervene,” Ahlborg says. The organization offers free parenting classes and is expanding efforts to work directly with school leadership.
Community outreach focuses on vulnerable populations. “We work with neurodiverse communities, rural and low-income families,” she explains.
What truly sets BRRC apart, however, is advocacy. “That’s the wraparound support,” Ahlborg says. “When a child is being bullied and the school isn’t responding, we meet families where they are. No two situations are the same.”
BRRC advocates are available beyond traditional hours. “We’re not a nine-to-five organization,” she says. “If a parent calls at nine o’clock at night because they’ve had enough, we understand. We’ve been there.”
Supporting parents is critical. “When parents are supported, the child knows they’re believed,” Ahlborg explains. “They know it’s not their fault.”
Ahlborg’s son is now a college graduate. “He found his people,” she says. “There is recovery.”
BRRC has supported more than 600 families. “These kids can recover. They can go on to live beautiful lives,” Ahlborg says.
Looking ahead, BRRC is launching a pilot program called Stand Together, aimed at creating systemic change within schools. “We want everyone—administrators, teachers, parents, students—to understand bullying and address it properly,” Ahlborg says.
For families seeking help, she emphasizes one thing: “Listen to your child. Let them know they’re not alone.”
More information is available at bullyingrecoveryresourcecenter.org, where families can access support through the “Get Help” intake form.
“We need these kids,” Ahlborg says. “They’re our future.”
“Conflict is normal, bullying is different. There’s an intent to harm. It’s repeated or has the potential to be repeated.”
“We’re not a nine-to-five organization, if a parent calls at nine o’clock at night because they’ve had enough, we understand. We’ve been there.”
by bullyingrrAdm | Feb 19, 2026 | BLOG
By Dru Ahlborg, Executive Director BRRC
Friendship is supposed to feel safe. So, when a friend becomes the person causing harm, the confusion and pain can cut especially deep for both the child and the adults who love them.
You may have heard the term “frenemy,” but let’s be clear: true friends are not enemies. While friends may compete or disagree, there is a clear line. When behavior becomes intentional, repeated, and hurtful and continues after being asked to stop that line has been crossed into bullying.
Can a Friend Really Be a Bully?
Yes. According to PACER, “If you are experiencing treatment from a friend that hurts you and you’ve asked them to stop, but it continues, that behavior is no longer friendship – it may be bullying.”
This type of bullying is often relational (or social) bullying, and it can be especially damaging because it comes from someone a child once trusted.
What Is Relational Bullying?
Relational bullying is harder to spot and often happens quietly. It’s about power, control, and social standing and it frequently shows up as:
- Exclusion or shunning
- Gossip or rumors
- Gaslighting
- Public embarrassment
- Withdrawing friendship as punishment
Because this behavior is rooted in broken trust, many targets say it hurts more than physical bullying.
As a parent, I’ve seen this firsthand. Both of my children were bullied by kids who were once close friends – kids who shared meals in our home and played in our backyard. Years later, my son will tell you that friends turning against him was more painful than any physical harm he endured.
How Caregivers Can Support a Child When a Friend Becomes the Bully
Watching this unfold is heartbreaking and it’s also an opportunity to help your child build resilience and healthy boundaries.
Consider these steps:
- Don’t encourage laughing it off. That can unintentionally give permission for the behavior to continue.
- Support an honest conversation. If safe, encourage your child to privately explain how the behavior made them feel. A true friend will listen, apologize, and change.
- Practice assertive responses. Simple statements like, “That’s not okay,” can be empowering.
- Help them walk away from toxic relationships. Friendships should not involve constant criticism, manipulation, or exclusion.
- Create space for feelings. Losing a friend can bring grief, anger, confusion, and sadness. As a parent or caregiver we should listen and validate those feelings.
What Healthy, Bully-Proof Friendships Look Like
Strong friendships share common qualities. Healthy friends:
- Treat each other as equals
- Are honest and trustworthy
- Celebrate one another’s successes
- Stand up for each other (they are upstanders)
- Support other friendships
- Are authentic
- Don’t use peer pressure
A Final Thought
Research shows that children and teens are often bullied by people they know well including friends and friends-of-friends. This makes your role as a caring, trusted adult even more important.
Helping children understand what healthy friendship looks like and reminding them that they deserve respect is a powerful step toward healing and confidence. At BRRC, we believe no child should have to navigate these painful experiences alone.
“Friends don’t always agree – but they don’t deliberately try to hurt you. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness.”
— Parent of a bullied child
