Hundreds of Indiana students rally at Statehouse, call for action on bullying

Students share personal stories and urge lawmakers to strengthen protections for bullied students

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Hundreds of students from across Indiana gathered at the state capitol on Monday to advocate for issues affecting young people, with bullying being a major focus. Many students, like high school sophomore Jakiah Brown, shared personal stories of being relentlessly bullied and facing little action or recourse from school officials. Advocacy groups like the Parent Coalition for Child Safety & Wellness have been pushing for legislative changes, such as redefining bullying in state code and requiring school districts to create local bullying prevention committees, but their efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

Why it matters

Student mental health and safety are major concerns in Indiana, with youth suicide rates rising in recent years. The students' rally highlights the urgent need to address bullying in schools and provide better support and protections for vulnerable young people.

The details

The youth-led advocacy event brought together students from across Indiana to voice their concerns on issues like school safety and mental health. Many students focused on the issue of bullying, sharing personal stories of being relentlessly targeted and facing little action from school officials when they tried to report it. Jakiah Brown, a high school sophomore, said she spent 8 days in the hospital due to mental health struggles caused by bullying, but the responsible parties faced no consequences. Advocacy groups like the Parent Coalition for Child Safety & Wellness have been pushing for legislative changes, such as redefining bullying in state code and requiring school districts to create local bullying prevention committees, but their bills have not received hearings.

  • The student rally took place on Monday, February 17, 2026 at the Indiana Statehouse.
  • Youth suicide rates in Indiana rose from 143 to 152 in 2023, according to the latest data from the Indiana Youth Institute.

The players

Jakiah Brown

A high school sophomore who shared her personal story of being relentlessly bullied, which led to an 8-day hospitalization for mental health issues.

Parent Coalition for Child Safety & Wellness

An advocacy group that has been pushing for legislative changes to strengthen protections for bullied students in Indiana for about 4 years.

Rachel Van Alstine

A parent and member of the Parent Coalition for Child Safety & Wellness.

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What they’re saying

“When a place that's meant to be safe becomes a place that starts to break you, you start to believe the problem is you.”

— Jakiah Brown, High school sophomore (wrtv.com)

“Even in approaching this the right way in the democratic process, we are not getting anywhere.”

— Rachel Van Alstine, Parent and coalition member (wrtv.com)

“Every story matters, every voice deserves to be heard.”

— Jakiah Brown, High school sophomore (wrtv.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.