Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A 13-year-old West Middle School student says she was physically beaten up by fellow students off school grounds. And, she says it's not the first time she's been bullied.
Alexis Daniels says she often walks the halls at West Middle School in fear. As the only girl on the school's football team, she says many of her classmates are constantly calling her names -- like "boy" and "ugly."
"It feels bad because everyone wants to think that," said Daniels.
On Thursday after track and field practice, Daniels says 3 girls on the team physically beat her up while along Jefferson Street, near their school. She says they caused bruises on her neck and stomach and threatened to bring weapons next time. That's when Daniels started choking one of them. She said, "I didn't let go until someone got me up 'cause she kept talking back. And I got tired of it, because people have been picking on me since the 5th grade."
For kids in similar situations like Daniels', experts say the best way to make the bullying stop is to tell as many school officials as possible until someone pays attention to you as well as keeping a log of each incident.
"You are now giving that individual something to work with and something for them to investigate," said Mary Waskie, Director of Educational Services for the S.H.A.R.E Project.
In the case of Alexis Daniel's -- her father says it took several weeks before he felt school officials began to pay attention to his concerns about his daughter's safety.
"Someone has to be killed by a car before they put a stop sign up. I'm letting them know, someone is seriously going to get injured at this school if they don't handle this bullying problem," said her father, Andrew Daniels.
The Binghamton School District says it's aware of the situation but declined further comment.
Daniels' dad has filed a police report to place last week's incident on record.
10 school districts in Broome County are participating in a federal grant program called the S.H.A.R.E Project, that started at the beginning of this school year.
It's designed to ensure a positive school environment for all students.
20% of kids in schools nationwide are either bullied or the bully.
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