One father's emotional journey to protect his daughter from bullying has brought him from central Oregon to Eugene, and we are sharing his story.

Students in the Eugene 4J school district went back to school this month and with the return to the classroom unfortunately comes bullying.

And it's a problem that can impact families across Oregon.

We spoke with specialists about what signs you can look out for.

"It kills me. I'm at a loss," says father William Bowser. "I came 150 miles to protest because I couldn't be heard in Lake County."

Bowser traveled from Silver Lake to Eugene after he says his 7-year-old daughter was bullied on the school bus.

"She was kicked, she had her papers literally tugged away from her at the bus, she had goldfish crackers thrown at her and a banana thrown."

But he says the incident was ignored by the North Lake School District.

"They would not even reply to me. What am I supposed to do but come over here and get some attention?"

We first met Bowser putting up signs at the First Student bus company on Highway 99, then again at the season opener for Ducks football.

We asked him why he was at the Ducks game.

"Visibility," he replied. "I need somebody to see what's going on and do something about it. I'm sure that this isn't just one school district."

And it's not. Experts with Eugene 4J say 20% of teens report being bullied.

And they want parents to watch out for the signs.

"If you're recognizing unexplained injuries, damaged apparel, maybe backpacks or books, kids not finishing or eating their lunches," explains Angie Meyer, Suicide Prevention and Risk Assessment Specialist.

Once reported, 4J takes a support approach to bullying.

"Why is this behavior happening in the first place, and it's almost always distress for some reason."

They want parents and students to bring bullying concerns to a counselor, teacher or administrator.

"If you suspect your child is being bullied, we want to hear it," says Sheri Hoyland, Behavioral Safety Assessment Coordinator.

Now, Bowser is planning to take his concerns to the Department of Education in Salem and warning other parents not to be complacent.

"Speak up. Parents: ask your children what is happening to them."