John Halligan’s 13-year-old son committed suicide because of cyberbullying. Since then, he has traveled the country and appeared on television spreading his anti-bullying message. On Wednesday, he brought his message to Central Florida. 

Halligan spoke to the community at the Englewood Neighborhood Center in Orlando. The center is located near two schools that have seen incidences of bullying. The schools are Stonewall Jackson Middle School and Englewood Elementary School. 

A mom was hauled off to jail after police said they caught her trying to start a brawl at Stonewall Jackson Middle because her son was being bullied there. An Orlando mom was also caught on video going after a student whom she said bullied her daughter at Eccelston Elementary School. Middle school students in the area said violence is a recurring problem and bullying has to stop.

 “I think it is good to raise awareness because I know some people who have started hurting themselves for being bullied and people who have not come to school for weeks,” said Saomy Sabournin, middle school student. 

According to the Florida Department of Education, almost 45 percent of middle school students in Orange County reported that bullying caused them worry and about 4 percent of those students had skipped school because of it.

Halligan said that is why he wants to help better educate parents whose children may be involved in bullying situations. His son Ryan was repeatedly sent homophobic instant messages and was threatened. A girl even pretended to be his girlfriend in order to humiliate him.

“On the last day of my son’s life he went up to that girl and said it's girl’s like you who make me want to kill myself. On Oct 7, 2003 my family was fast asleep and my son killed himself,” said Halligan.

Halligan said his son did not leave a note and did not talk to him about what was going on.

“I think the last thing you want is for your young pre-teen to be dealing with a teen crisis completely on their own. Make sure they have other approachable adults besides themselves. Make sure they know its ok,” he said. 

Halligan also recommends that parents monitor their children’s computers daily. He also recommends parents obtain children’s passwords to social media sites, in case of an emergency.

Halligan has traveled to over 1,000 schools spreading his message. His next stop is Mexico.