Mallory Grossman's Mom Shares Painful New Bullying Details

In her efforts to educate others about the dangers of bullying, Dianne Grossman has revealed new, painful details about the torment her 12-year-old daughter Mallory faced in the weeks and months before her suicide death.

Many of the bullying allegations were detailed in a lawsuit against the Rockaway Township School District, but at an anti-bullying speech this week Grossman discussed a particularly cruel trick played on Mallory in the days leading up to her death.

Mallory had thought she was finally included: a group of popular girls said they'd formed a club called "The Squad," and invited Mallory to join, NJ Advance Media reported based on details of a speech given by Grossman in Scotch Plains on Wednesday. Mother and daughter raced to the mall to buy what the group said they would be wearing the next day, an outfit of denim overalls and a pink t-shirt.

But when Mallory showed up at school the next day, she was the only one in the outfit. "The Squad" wasn't real, Diane reportedly said. It was just another thing designed to humiliate and ostracize Mallory.

"She got home, she ripped those overalls off, ripped the pink T-shirt, threw it in the trash," NJ Advance Media quoted Grossman as saying.

Grossman spoke in front of a sold-out crowd of 300 people in Scotch Plains, the paper reported. It was the first in a planned series of National Bullying Prevention Month events. Tickets are still available for an Oct. 9 event in Summit, and an Oct. 11 discussion in Montville.

A motorcycle ride and BBQ sponsored by Garden State Harley-Davidson is behind held on Oct. 20. Riders, passengers, and non-riders are all welcome to attend. Alex & Ani in Bridgewater are also donating a portion of proceeds from certain sales to Mallory's Army.

The National Bullying Prevention Month events are the latest in Grossman's quest to "blue out bullying." Grossman has taught workshops to educate parents on anti-bullying and harassment rules in place at local schools, and has provided anti-bullying information to parents and educators. The organization has hosted informational booths at local carnivals, spoken in front of the New Jersey State Policeman's PBA, and advocated for more comprehensive anti-bullying laws.

Mallory's older sister Carlee Grossman said the family's advocacy efforts were among the only options the family had when dealing with Mallory's death.

"When Mallory died, we had two options. We could lay on the couch and cry, or we could do something to make a difference, and we chose to make a difference," Carlee said while accepting an award from TLC in September. "We created Mallory's Army to spread the message that you are not alone, there are other kids like you, and it doesn't have to go as far as suicide for there to be change."

In addition to their advocacy work, the Grossman family is suing the Rockaway Township schools, saying the schools didn't do enough to stop the bullying that lead to Mallory's suicide death.

Read More:

• Bullying Of Mallory Grossman, 12, Detailed In Wrongful Death Suit
• 1 Year Later, Mallory Grossman Lives On In Anti-Bullying Efforts
• Mom Shares 'Last Selfie' Taken With Mallory Grossman Before Death
• Mallory Grossman's Family Sues Rockaway Schools Over Bullying That Led To Suicide
• 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death

THE BULLY MENACE: WHAT'S AHEAD
During October and beyond, several experts have agreed to answer Patch readers' questions about bullying, ranging from how to keep their kids from becoming targets to what to do if their kids are the bullies. We'll also delve into some of the issues surrounding bullying —
Take a look back at some of the stories in our series:

• America's Shameful Truth About School Shooters And Bullying
• They All Failed Changed Child: Malden Bullying Detailed
• Bullies, Their Targets The Same In A Surprising Number Of Cases
• 'Everyday, I Wear Your Words,' Teen Tells Bullies In Video
• Teen's 'I Wear Your Words' Video Inspires Nashville Songwriters
• Bullying Of Mallory Grossman, 12, Spelled Out In Wrongful Death Lawsuit
• Poetry Teacher Helps Bullied Kids Open Their Tortured Minds
• Why These Kindergartners Start Each Day With A Simple Handshake

If you have a question or want to share your story, please email [email protected].

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

Image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner