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Theresa's Tidbits - Bullying does no one any favours
Theresa Seraphim
for Spotlight
It has carved scars – sometimes physical, but more often psychological – into its victims. It has ruined lives, to the point where victims have decided to end their own.
It also hardens the perpetrator’s character, making him or her ever more likely to repeat the violence if he or she is not checked.
That’s why bullying has to be stopped. This week, Bullying Awareness Week, is a good time to make efforts towards that end.
While there may be broad or narrow definitions of what bullying entails, depending on the school district or the workplace, there is no doubt about the awful effects.
The victim, who often is picked on because of low self-esteem, becomes even more shamed, cowed, and intimidated.
The bully, who is often someone who needs to be in control, becomes inured to his or her own actions and, indeed, begins to take more and more pleasure in hurting others.
The Canadian Red Cross offers tips for both the victims and the parents.
If you are being bullied:
*Tell an adult you trust, and keep telling until you get help.
* Call the Kids Help Line at 1-800-668-6868, a free and confidential line, for support.
* If the bullying makes you upset, have a teacher or other adult help you with a safety plan. This may involve measures such as changing the route home or avoiding being where the bully is.
Here’s an important point for those witnessing a bullying incident: don’t go along with it by cheering or laughing. Instead, take the victim’s side and, if you feel safe enough to do so, tell the buylly to quit. Then report the incident to an adult.
If you are a parent and your child is being bullied:
· Assure them the bullying isn’t their fault.
· Tell them that using fists or insults in retaliation could make the bullying worse.
· Remind them to ignore teasing by turning their head and/or walking away.
· Teach assertiveness skills.
· Let the school know, if the bullying occurs there, and insist they follow their policy.
· Talk with your child about ways to avoid the bully.
· Call the Parent Help Line at 1-888-603-9100 for ideas and support.
It can’t be stressed enough – bullying hurts all those in volved. It’s time to take the message of Bullying Awareness Week to heart, and do whatever is possible to eliminate this scourge – for everyone’s sake.
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