ONE LIFE TO LIVE Joins Forces With STOMP Out Bullying

In January 2011, ABC Daytime’s ONE LIFE TO LIVE began telling the story of teenager Shane Morasco (Austin Williams) being both bullied and cyberbullied. This week Jack Manning’s (Andrew Trischitta) bullying of Shane escalates to dangerous proportions both in person and online driving Shane to take extreme actions where he ultimately ends up on the high school roof (scenes airing Monday, April 4th and Tuesday, April 5th were shot on the roof of OLTL’s studios in New York City). For the telling of this story, OLTL joined forces with STOMP Out Bullying™, who stands as a leader in efforts to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among kids and teens, to air PSAs during the telling of this story (March 16th and April 4th).

Since the creation of ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 1968, the show has always looked for opportunities to inform while entertaining. Child and teen bullying and cyberbullying are at an all-time high. An issue that used to exist primarily while kids were at school, has taken on new extremes with social media. There are staggering statistics such as 1 out of 4 teens are bullied; 43% of kids have been bullied while online; 1 in 4 have had it happen more than once. The intentional cruelty of bullying has become a far too common a story in the news. The writers and producers of OLTL were profoundly affected by these devastating stories and made the decision to tell Shane’s story.

“The response to this story has been powerful,” said Frank Valentini executive producer. “Bullying is an issue that is so disturbing and far too prominent. Our objective is to shine a light on the cruelty of bullying through our storytelling and if we can help make a difference for one person, then I think we have been hugely successful.”

“STOMP Out Bullying™ is delighted that “One Life to Live” is putting the issue of bullying in the forefront,” said Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, STOMP Out Bullying™. “The hatred, cruelty and intolerance can no longer continue. By educating the public, we can stop the bullying BEFORE it ever starts. We are grateful to “One Life to Live” for their partnership to help keep kids safe in schools and online.”

Emmy Award-winning “One Life to Live,” created by Agnes Nixon, was launched July 15, 1968. Frank Valentini executive-produces. Ron Carlivati is the headwriter. The popular drama consistently ranks among the top five in the key demographic of Women 18-49. “One Life to Live” airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

STOMP Out Bullying™ is a national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens is a signature program of Love Our Children USA. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It includes educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, as well as educating parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online. For more information, please go to: www.stompoutbullying.org.