(New Jersey) – In a show of unprecedented unification amongst multicultural service-based sororities, Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. and Omega Phi Chi Sorority, Inc. have partnered together to launch the Step Up – Speak Out! Bullying Awareness and Prevention Campaign.

The Step Up – Speak Out! Bullying Awareness and Prevention Campaign is designed to increase awareness about the detrimental effects of bullying and cyber-bullying at all levels in American society, and empower bystanders to speak out when bullying occurs. The Campaign invites collegiate groups and community-based organizations across the country, including local and national fraternities and sororities, to join ranks and speak out against bullying and cyber-bullying.

Participating organizations will be encouraged to sponsor programs, individually and collectively, which address bullying from all perspectives, and encourage parents, teachers and bystanders to get involved. Participating organizations will also be encouraged to support and promote, tough state legislation around the country designed to directly address bullying in schools and the workplace.
Although the launch year of the Campaign will focus on child and teenage bullying, the two sororities hope their combined efforts will increase the community’s awareness of bullying in all its forms.

“People assume bullying only occurs in schools, but it can happen to anyone regardless of age. Children, teens, adults and even the elderly are susceptible to being bullied,” said Natalia Tapia, of Omega Phi Chi Sorority, Inc. “I believe this Campaign will provide an additional educational resource to enlighten those who feel this behavior is acceptable or even tolerable, as well as creating and reinforcing safe zones for those who feel threatened and alone. By each of us pledging to step up and speak out, we can stand together to really make a difference!”

Recent events, such as the tragic suicides of Tyler Clementi, Phoebe Prince, Megan Meier and countless others, have brought the plight of teen victims of bullying to the forefront of the American consciousness, sparking the idea of the Campaign and the partnership of the two sororities.

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen more and more teenagers paying the ultimate price with their lives as a result of bullying and cyber-bulling,” said Paula A. Ladd, Esq., National President of Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc, “These young lives were tragically cut short, robbing the world of their potential contributions. Our sororities feel it is important for us, as community and campus leaders, to step up and get involved with this critical concern, and do what we can to make a difference. To do anything less is just unacceptable.”

Omega Phi Chi Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 9, 1988 at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The purpose of the organization is to generate unity among all women by fostering a sisterhood based on honesty, loyalty, respect, responsibility, academic excellence, and involvement in community service. Omega Phi Chi Sorority, Inc. is committed to helping others and making differences throughout communities. Its National Board supports and promotes philanthropic endeavors of all kinds throughout the year through the National Philanthropy: Omega Phi Chi Community Advocates Responsible for Educating and Serving (OPC C.A.R.E.S). OPC C.A.R.E.S. aims to promote compassion, improve communities, and take advantage of educational opportunities which can strengthen both the organization and local communities.

Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc. (LPsiD) was founded on March 9, 1997 at Yale University to promote sisterhood, public and political service, and excellence. LPsiD’s Public and Political Service Initiatives are based upon its Five Tenets: Intellectual Development, Empowerment of Women, Leadership, Cultural Awareness and Upliftment of the Community. Lambda Psi Delta’s Public and Political Service Program represents a fundamental commitment to empowering and uplifting the community, as well as marked political involvement in order to initiate and promote political change. LPsiD’s National Public and Political Service Program is designed around its Biennial Focus Initiatives, which address timely public and political service concerns within our communities. The LPsiD Focus Initiatives for 2010 – 2012 include Bullying Awareness and Prevention.

Both Lambda Psi Delta and Omega Phi Chi are founding members of the National Multicultural Greek Council, Inc., the national governing council for multicultural fraternities and sororities. Members of both sororities serve in leadership roles on the NMGC Board of Directors.

For more information regarding the Step Up - Speak Out! Bullying Awareness and Prevention Campaign, please contact at: info@stepupspeakout-movement.org.