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Very Real

Video Of High School Bullies Ripping Off Student's Wig Sparks Anti-Bullying Movement

The students responsible for the incident may face assault charges.

By Sharon Lynn Pruitt
7 Facts About Bullying in School and Social Media

A Franklin, Tennessee high school has captured national attention this week for all the wrong reasons; video showing a group of bullies ripping off a teen girl's wig — and filming her as she cried in a bathroom stall — has attracted attention online, with many expressing shock and outrage at the behavior shown. Despite what she went through, however, Lauren "Lulu" Williams, the bullied student in the video, and her mother, Myckelle Williams, are telling her story in an effort to make a positive difference in the world.

In an Instagram post, Williams explained that her daughter, a 16-year-old student at Franklin High School, suffers from a condition that causes severe dryness, hair breakage, and loss. Because of her condition, she wears a wig to school "in an effort to still feel beautiful."

"We all know how easy it is to feel insecure at age 16," Williams continued.

Unfortunately for Lulu, bullies began targeting her; on Friday, a few boys pulled off her wig in an effort to win a $5 bet. They filmed the incident, and when Lulu ran to the bathroom in tears, they followed her, hoisting the camera over the top of the bathroom stall so that they could film her as she cried and begged them to return her wig.

After calling her mother in tears, begging to be picked up from school, Lulu later had to be taken to the hospital and treated for abrasions and whiplash.

"Her head was hurting," Williams told Fox 17. "Her neck was hurting. Her scalp was hurting and she was just crying. The goal is when you send your kids to school, you're automatically assuming they're going to be safe and protected. And I'm feeling like she's not protected."

Despite enduring such a horrific experience, Lulu refused to let the bullies win, her mother explained; she decided to shave her head and "take back her control."

Now, Lulu and her mother are asking for others to stand up against bullying, using the hashtag "SayNoToShaming2018."

"The teen suicide rate has now DOUBLED and bullying has played a HUGE Role. If you have a teen in this situation, continue to uplift them and let them know that they are strong and beautiful and can own their insecurities and take control rather than being controlled," Williams wrote. "I admire the strength and beauty of my little Lulu and know that she will inspire many others even through this difficult time in her life."

Yesterday I received a call from my youngest daughter screaming and crying on the phone, for me to come and get her from school. Apparently, some boys had taken a $5 BET about pulling her wig off in front of everyone. Lulu has a scalp condition that causes severe dryness and hair breakage and loss, and had been so ashamed of her appearance that she had taken to wearing wigs in an effort to still feel beautiful. We all know how easy it is to feel insecure at age 16. These kids not only tore her wig off in the middle of school, but video taped it. They followed her to the bathroom as she screamed and cried and proceeded to tape her OVER the stall as she cried and begged for her wig. Later I had to take her to the hospital for abrasions and whiplash. Lulu later decided to shave her hair off and not let these bullies win. She was not wanting to feel controlled by her hair any longer, and take back her control. I am only posting this with her permission but yesterday our entire family was angered and in tears about the way she was treated. The teen suicide rate has now DOUBLED and bullying has played a HUGE Role. If you have a teen in this situation, continue to uplift them and let them know that they are strong and beautiful and can own thier insecurities and take control rather than being controlled. I admire the strength and beauty of my little Lulu and know that she will inspire many others even through this difficult time in her life. #SayNoToShaming2018 Please share if you have a teen who needs to know they are beautiful no matter what! Bullies will not win in 2018

A post shared by Simply ME (@myckelle) on

Since Lulu's story was posted online, she's received an outpouring of support on social media.

"I AM PISSED !!!!!! She is so strong and inspiring I wish her much success she is beautiful and I love her," one Instagram user wrote.

"We stand with you LuLu!!!! #shamefree," wrote another.

Williamson County Schools are currently investigating the situation, with Williamson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney telling WSMV that he considers the incident an assault and, as such, the district is seeking to charge at least two students.

"I don't have any tolerance for behavior that hurts physically or emotionally other students," Dr. Looney said. "Know that we take this very seriously and know that we are going to provide the appropriate punishment to the fullest extent possible."

[Photo: Instagram]