The
First truth: There will never be a shortage of bullies.
Putting this in perspective:
In the workplace bullies are not tolerated. Bullies are laid off,
fired, sued, and/or jailed. On the street, if someone punches you
it's an assault and you have the right to defend yourself and press charges.
One more perspective:
How a child perceives a bully depends on how an Administrator, (Principals,
Teachers, etc.), deals with the bully.
("Effective
principals are liked and respected, rather than feared, and communicate
caring for students as well as willingness to impose punishment if necessary")
If Administrator's have strong anti bully rules then bullying will be understood
as unacceptable behavior. ("Identifying potentially
violent students and intervening before serious problems erupt has become
a high priority...")
The
Second truth: Administrators in charge, (Principals, Teachers, Counselors,
etc.) who take the TIME to investigate harassment accusations will have
safer schools.
Putting this in perspective:
Valued employees are promoted, given incentives, bonuses, and good pay
to keep them employed at their job. Complaints are taken seriously
and are investigated. The investment in re-training a valuable employee
insures that all efforts will be made to keep the ones they have.
One more perspective:
Sometimes it's easier to call everything a "fight", disagreement, "clash
of personalities", than to give victim's the time to say what's happened
to them. Children should be considered by School Districts as valuable
employees/customers. There is nothing better than a happy customer!
("...any
student making violent threats towards others should be required to complete
a psychological assessment process and parental conferencing.")
The
Third truth: Secured and watched schools (inside and out) are a major
factor in ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Putting this in perspective:
At a workplace, if someone is injured because a piece of equipment falls
on them, would the Employer say that they can't be responsible for what
happens inside their building(s)?
One more perspective:
More and more School Districts are realizing, because of tragic events
like Columbine, that each child deserves a safe, secure, learning, happy
environment. ("School discipline has two main goals:
(1) ensure the safety of staff and students, and (2) create an environment
conducive to learning.")
The
Fourth truth: The stigma can be severe if the student talks about their
abuser, bully or harasser.
Putting this in perspective:
In the adult world "tattletales" are called "Whistle blowers", and are
protected. Many times they are treated as heroes when all is said
and done. If the workplace abuse is not solved, governmental agencies
or lawyers swoop down upon the business and tear it apart.
One more perspective:
A child should be just as protected as an adult when they become a whistle
blower. Administrators must take seriously students who make complaints,
no matter how small.
("Adults sometimes have a tendency
to discount what adolescents say, believing that most of the stress youngsters
experience will pass as maturation occurs. This lack of empathy on the
part of adults may leave adolescents feeling misunderstood and alienated.")
The
Fifth truth: Victims of bullies, harassment, assault, and other violence
inside their schools, are not getting the counseling they require.
Putting this in perspective:
If a mother is Abused by her husband there are shelters where she can go
to get help. She will be told that she is a victim and didn't deserve
to be beat up. There are places for adults to get help for Abuse, Rape,
drinking problems, depression, stress, anxiety, etc.
One more perspective:
Programs should be in place for students who are victims of bullies, harassment
or assault in every school. ("Students who have witnessed
or been involved in violence suffer from post traumatic stress, which can
include anxiety, fear, emotional constriction, attention difficulties,
and sleeplessness. Thus, just as victims need counseling when they leave
the emergency room, students who were bystanders to the violence need carefully
led discussions to help them with their confusion, grief, and anger")
Feb.
12 - A Parent says...
"I would like to have
some advise about our case, my wife and my other daughter are suffering
emotionally. We don't know what to do. Please, we need your
help."
What can
you do if your child is being harassed?
Demand action!
"...Threats
of teen violence prompted a student walkout in Newburyport and led to arrests
in Derry, N.H., this week.
In
Newburyport, about 17 students at the Nock Middle School walked out of
classes Monday, claiming the school administration hasn't done enough in
response to threatening behavior by one or more students.
'We're
all out here because the teachers are not listening to us,' one girl who
said she had been threatened told the Daily News of Newburyport.
She said one student had threatened to kill other kids and had e-mailed
bloody pictures.
A
protesting boy said students are afraid the student will be allowed to
return to class. Efforts to reach Nock Principal Douglas Lay yesterday
were unsuccessful."
These
teens are heroes for what they did on this day! They are the type
of students who will wipe out bullying in all schools. Administrators
will take notice when enough students demand action. I would love
to hear more stories like this in the news instead of the sad aftermath
of bullying when it's too late to do anything.
For research, please visit,
http://www.jaredstory.com/vip_links_bullying.html
Bullying 
depression
