Anti-bullying video contest seeks entries

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and the Home Reporter News and Brooklyn Spectator News have launched the second annual Legal Lives video contest, inviting local students to try their hands at creating a video that addresses the issue of bullying.

“Our hope is to raise the consciousness of not only children, but teachers, administrators and parents to the reality of bullying and how each one of them has got to step up and be a part of solving this terrible, terrible problem,” Hynes explained.

The bullying problem is increasingly prevalent, thanks in part to the pervasiveness of online social media, and with attention drawn to the issue as the trial relating to the death of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi — who committed suicide after his roommates leaked a video of him engaging in homosexual activity — proceeds.

“New Jersey is in the national spotlight, but we need to bring it home to the locals,” Victoria Schneps-Yunis, co-publisher of this paper, said. “We have to work together to help our community solve this serious problem.”

Hynes said that prevention is key. “Having these kids get involved in a creative video to raise consciousness about students and other components of the school system is what we should be doing,” he explained.

The contest is open to all fourth through ninth graders who attend school in Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, South Slope or Sunset Park. Participants will upload a 90-second video to YouTube that answers one of the following questions: What is bullying? What is cyberbullying? What should you do if you are being bullied? How does being bullied make you feel? How can you stop a bully?

The winner will serve as Brooklyn District Attorney for the day and have his or her video featured on www.HomeReporterNews.com. There will also be cash prizes for first, second and third place winners.

The deadline for video contest submissions is April 30. For complete details and instructions, visit www.youtube.com/brooklyndaconnect.