Aggie Brings Cyberbullying Fight To Campus

Texas A&M economics student Chris Molak is pushing for state legislative action against cyberbullying in the wake of his brother’s suicide, which the family attributes to relentless cyberbullying.

Molak and his brother, Cliff, are advocating the drafting of a law called “David’s Law” to honor the memory of their brother, who died about a month ago at the age of 16.

Texas State Representative José Menéndez of San Antonio was already fueling a move towards legislative action against cyberbullying. In San Antonio, the Molaks’ hometown, the families of cyberbullying victims are calling for action to end the maliciousness once and for all.

Chris and Cliff have attended legislative writing workshops and forums in an effort to understand the ins and outs of working with the state government and writing an effective law.

“It’s going to take time and patience to make the right wording and accomplish what we seek to accomplish, which is legislation with teeth,” Chris said.

This “legislation with teeth” would amount to a penalty of up to a year in prison and a fine of about $500 for cyberbullies.

Chris explained that other states, including Maryland and Michigan, already have laws in place that target cyberbullying. He believes Texas is lagging behind in tackling this issue.

In addition to their legislative efforts, the Molak family has started the David Bartlett Molak (DBM) Foundation, which is a team of pro-bono lawyers who will be available to represent kids who are being cyberbullied.

“We have all sorts of bi-partisan groups ranging from conservatives to unions all rallying behind a bi-partisan bill, because it’s important for the kids, especially in this age where technology goes faster than the laws,” Chris said.

Chris is now involved in bringing the issue to the Texas A&M campus. The university’s student guidance center is planning a Suicide Awareness Walk on campus next fall, which Chris helped initiate.

Chris’ fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, is planning a Beta DBM Fest for April 9. In this case, aside from David’s initials, DBM also stands for “Don’t Bully Me.” The event will be held at Wolf Pen Creek and will have entertainment, but the focus will be on raising awareness of cyberbullying and bringing to light the people it has taken, like David.

Chris explains that Beta Theta Pi will focus their philanthropy on this issue. All the money from fraternity fundraisers will go to the David’s Legacy Foundation, a program created by Chris and his family to provide financial support for the DBM Foundation as well as to help pay legal fees for families of cyberbullying victims who can’t afford a lawyer.

“We want this money to go towards programs and legislation that are going to make a difference in these kids’ lives,” Chris said.