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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
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January 31, 2011
Judge Tom
Blog
1

Freshman “made lots of people smile and laugh”

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This is one of many comments added to a Facebook group mourning the death of Kameron E. Jacobsen. On January 18, 2011, Kameron ended his life. He was 14 years old.

Kameron was a freshman at Monroe Woodbury High School in New York. He was reportedly bullied at school and online about being perceived as gay. Although his family has asked for privacy during this difficult time, numerous support and memorial groups have been created online.

A friend of Kameron’s summed up the tragedy in writing: “He was so young only 14. He never got a chance to get a driver’s license, he never went to a prom, he never got to grow up and do all the things he should have done. He had a girl in school that he really liked and who knows if he even got his first kiss.”

Kameron

In Kameron’s obituary his family wrote: “We hope as a community both collectively and individually we can find a way to finally put an end to this!” Assuming the family means bullying, we wholeheartedly agree. Bullying in all its forms must stop. Think about what you can do to help in the fight against cruel, thoughtless communication – online, in person and by text. Maybe just being kinder is a start.

Read more about Kameron on the KAM Foundation’s website Kindness Above Malice:  http://www.kindnessabovemalice.org/meet-kameron/

Tragedy hit Kameron’s community twice in January. Two weeks before Kameron’s passing, 16-year-old Justin Dimino committed suicide. Justin was a junior and star football player at the same school. There was no evidence of bullying against Justin.

For help and a professional to listen when you feel you can’t go on, contact:

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org   1-800-273-8255

www.thetrevorproject.org  1-866-488-7386

www.glsen.org

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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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