16-year-old Boy with LD Target of Cruel Bullying

Bullies in Fayetteville, Arkansas, have targeted Billy Wolfe, 16, for so much harrassment and assault that addressing the bullying of Billy has become "a second full time job" for his parents, reports the New York Times. Billy became a target at age 12, and since then, has been punched so hard he became unconscious, been the target of a hate group on Facebook, and been beaten while a friend of the bully videotaped the assault, among other horrifying incidents. He has a learning disability which affects his reading comprehension. It is unclear whether or not this is part of the basis for the bullying.

In fact, despite sensitivity programs installed in Fayetteville schools since the brutal beating of a gay student, the bullies seem to prefer to use homophobic slurs to attack Billy. The Facebook page dedicated to "Every One That Hates Billy Wolfe" featured Billy's face edited into a picture of Peter Pan, and called Billy, "A homosexual that NO ONE LIKES." The page was taken down after the bullies' parents were notified.

After continual communication with the school district, school officials, and the parents of bullies failed to halt the beatings Billy suffered, the Wolfe family is suing one of the bullies and "other John Does," and considering a lawsuit against the school district as well. They do not expect much monetary reward from the lawsuit, but hope to make the point that children deserve to feel safe in schools.