DiNatale draws on own past, encourages victims to seek help
Victoria DiNatale was bullied emotionally, physically and sexually in middle and high school — so severely that she’s been hospitalized with a stress cough multiple times and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
But now, DiNatale, a motivational speaker and Armstrong Atlantic State University senior, is currently traveling the country speaking confidently to students.
Statistically, one in every four students is a victim of bullying, and, despite her traumatic past, DiNatale is using her experience to inspire others who may be in similar situations.
“I am very passionate about reaching out,” she said. “You can let something like this completely destroy you or empower you to motivate others.”
DiNatale embodies the very principle she believes in. At the age of 21, she dedicated every Friday to travel to a different school to share her story and to help prevent bullying.
“There is help and hope for those who are being bullied,” she said. “I have been on the other side and I know what it’s like to walk down those lonely halls and I can say that I have today completely overcome the effects of bullying.”
The audience at DiNatale’s USC talk consisted of professors and education students. DiNatale aimed to empower them with enough knowledge and awareness to help someone being bullied.
First-year education student Forest Mobley commented on the dramatic increase and severity of bullying in recent years.
“I think it’s a huge problem now,” she said. “It is because there are more mediums that people can use to bully. Before, once you left school it stopped there, but now, people can reach you at home through the internet or texting.”
DiNatale also said that she believes the tendency to bully starts at home.
“I think bullying stems from a lack of parenting,” she said. “Children are not being taught at home to be kind, loving and accepting of others.”
Doyle Stevick, an associate professor of educational leadership and policies, explained the role of educators in the prevention of bullying.
“What we need is practical identification (of symptoms) and networking and cooperation,” he said. “Because when there is a problem, there are signs and it’s a matter of piecing them together.”
Stevick also pointed out that help shouldn’t just be given to those who are bullied.
“Bullies often need help too,” he said. “Historically they are the most likely to be violent and end up in prison. We don’t look at bullies as needing support and intervention because they are inflicting pain but they can have a difficult life as well.”
Whether it is those who are bullying or those that are being bullied, DiNatale believes that everyone can find a way out of the vicious cycle.
“I hope to teach others that there are people who love them and care about them,” she said. “Suicide isn’t an option and it’s important to keep reaching out for help and if one person doesn’t help, then there will be others who do.”