Final answer:
The voices of bullying victims can be ignored, often due to the bystander effect. Cyberbullying presents a pervasive challenge, with societal and legal efforts increasing in response to high-profile cases like Phoebe Prince's taking his own life. Communities and legislation are critical in supporting and protecting victims.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the voices of bullying victims can sometimes be ignored, as clearly depicted in several accounts and studies, including the film Bully. In many cases, the bystander effect may prevent individuals from intervening or acknowledging the victims' struggles. This phenomenon was studied by Latané and Darley after the murder of Kitty Genovese, where witnesses did not take action. Additionally, cyberbullying magnifies this issue since the bullying is not limited to physical spaces and can follow the victim everywhere through digital means, adding a sense of inescapability and helplessness.
Bullying not only negatively affects the victims, leading to possible mental health issues, underperformance in school, and in extreme cases, like Phoebe Prince's, taking his own life; but it can also affect bystanders, potentially causing distress and feelings of guilt for not intervening. The case of Phoebe Prince resulted in significant changes in societal and legal attitudes towards bullying and cyberbullying, with anti-bullying legislation enacted and increased education and prevention efforts. Laws may not immediately change the behavior of bullies, but they represent an essential step in societal change. Communities are encouraged to proactively protect victims and create support systems to prevent bullying. As for the victims' voices, it is crucial that schools, families, and communities actively listen and provide platforms for their stories to be heard and taken seriously.