Anti-Bullying Event Held at G Renda Institute in Polistena

On October 22, 2026, students, faculty, and community advocates gathered at the “G. Renda” Institute in Polistena for an anti-bullying and cyberbullying awareness assembly, according to pianainforma.it.

Returning to School-Based Advocacy

The morning session marked a return to school-based advocacy formats for younger classes. It centered around core slogans that included “Break the silence,” “Build respect,” and “Against exclusion, work for inclusion.”

Students performed a flash-mob based on these themes. Then came remarks from school principal Emanuela Cannistrà.

Resisting Peer Pressure in the Classroom

Cannistrà urged students to resist peer pressure and find the resolve to stand up for mutual respect.

Event organizer Maria De Moro noted that middle and high school age brackets frequently intersect with peer abuse patterns. She urged students to actively engage with guest speakers during the forum.

Experts Advise Students to Report Peer Abuse

Legal and developmental perspectives were introduced by attorney Raffaella Mascaro and pedagogue Gabriella Vigoroso.

Both speakers cautioned students against the social traps that pull individuals into harassing their peers. They advised them to immediately notify parents and teachers if they witness or experience abuse.

A Personal Testimony on the Cycle of Violence

The assembly shifted tone with the testimony of Domenico Campana. Campana shared his personal history of leading a neighborhood gang that used coercion and physical violence against peers.

He detailed how his role eventually reversed into victimization, severe depression, and substance addiction that fractured his family.

“As a bully, I became a victim, and from there my life was uphill, through depression, drug use, addiction that led me to lose even my family,” Campana stated, adding that he currently lives in a recovery community while managing the lingering fear of relapsing into past patterns.

Symbolic Conclusion of the Assembly

The event concluded with a symbolic group embrace involving the student body and faculty members.