MASW held a forum to discuss the issue.

Jefferson City parents and community members want to increase awareness about bullying. Statistics show that bullying violence has raised by 82 percent over the last year. The group says that's why awareness is important.

One topic at the meeting was what to do if your child is being bullied.

"I think everybody knows that bullying is always around, but educators have figured out excellent ways in the last few years to address bullying so it's actually a problem that can be solved fairly easily with very little extra expense," MASW member Don Love said.

Love says one of the best ways to stop bullying is to talk to your children.

"People who are in the community and help with Boy Scouts and church groups or things like that need to be aware of what they can do to help prevent or stop bullying," said Barbara Kuebler from the Missouri National Education Association.

Though this was the first bullying forum, people say they won't stop working to spread awareness.