One Child - Two Voices

Bullies, harassment and assaults are running rampant in Schools. Harassment, teasing, rivalry, ridicule, emotional or physical violence can lead to depression and low self-esteem, problems that can traumatize a child into adulthood and affect a student, and their family, for the rest of their life.  The act of being bullied tends to increase some student/victims' isolation because their peers do not want to lose status by associating with them, or because they do not want to increase the risks of being bullied themselves.

Here are some facts about bullying:

Three out of four students report that they have been bullied.

Ninety percent of students felt being bullied caused social, emotional, or academic problems.

Each year, 1 out of 13 kids under the age of 19 attempt suicide, a rate that has tripled in the last 20 years. Last year, more than 2,000 of them succeeded — a staggering number that can be blamed largely on bullying.

Victims are mostly boys, but girls are increasingly being bullied. Bullying is reported as most severe in grades 7-9 with 4-6 next.

Sixty-nine percent of students believe schools respond poorly to reports of bullying and victimization.

Ridicule/teasing, verbal harassment, and practical jokes are the most frequently reported forms of bullying. Physical attacks are reported less frequently.

Forty-four percent of teachers believe disruptive school behaviors are getting worse.

Each month over 250,000 students report being physically attacked. One in five school students report avoiding rest rooms out of anxiety about safety.

A high percentage of students who are absent from school can be blamed on bullying.  Students have a high level of stress related illnesses when they are being bullied.

According to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of a bully is: an over-bearing person who tyrannizes the weak; intimidation. The definition of terror is: extreme fear; one who causes terror; to rule by intimidation. When a child is being bullied they know what a terrorist is... they experience it everyday at school.

When a child is being bullied and no one comes to their aid, that child feels like their school doesn't value them as an individual. There are a lot of frustrated, hurt, and wounded children coming out of our schools today and we have let our children down by not doing anything to stop the bullying.

What can The Wounded Child Project do to stop bullying in school?

We have a whole generation of adults in the educational system that still view bullying as "the way it is," a "rite of passage", and "boys will be boys." Many administrators still advise the victim to, "tough it out," "ignore it," and "stop whining about it." With this philosophy, it's no wonder that bullying is rampant within our schools.

The Wounded Child Project can send a Student Advocate (volunteer or paid attorney) to represent the victim where a school chooses to take the philosophy, "boys will be boys..." TWCP will help the school understand the consequences of this philosophy and the liability they may incur if the bullying continues.  This may also encourage the School District involved to enact a strong anti bullying program.

The Wounded Child Project will encourage Administrators to take the time to investigate each bullying allegation seriously. TWCP feels that it is not acceptable to call bullying a "fight," an "altercation," or a "clash of personalities," to save time for the administrator.  Schools have invested many years of time into each child's life to help them receive a good education.  Educators must give each child the time they need, emotionally, so they can grow to be responsible, happy adults.

The Wounded Child Project will work with Administrators and School Officials to ensure school safety policies are being met for each student they advocate for, thus helping all students receive the benefits of school safety. More School Districts are realizing, because of tragic events like Columbine, that each child deserves a safe, secure, happy learning environment. School safety policy should have two main goals: (1) ensure the safety of staff and students, and (2) create an environment conducive to learning.

Having The Wounded Child Project Advocate aside the victim for support as they talk about the bullying they are enduring, will give the victim the courage to speak out. This support helps the victim feel that they are not alone and that someone really cares about them.  Students who talk about bullying should be reassured that there will be no repercussions because of their complaints. (Schools should be aware of the tendency of bullies to "get even" with their victim by making false bullying claims against them. Common sense must prevail in these cases.)

The Wounded Child Project Advocate will help the School understand the needs of a bullied child. Students who have witnessed or been involved in violence can suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, fear, emotional constriction, attention difficulties, sleeplessness, and more commonly, Depression (the number one cause of suicide). Prevention of emotional, mental and physical problems related to the trauma of bullying will be a high priority for each child represented by TWCP Advocate, as well as a counseling program to place the victim of bullying.  Victims, and bystanders to violence need carefully led discussions to help them with their confusion, grief, and anger.

The Wounded Child Project - GOALS
 

• One less child bullied in school is one child saved from a lifetime wound.
• Prevent suicides, and school violence of all kinds.
• Encourage positive interaction and problem solving between a bullied student and administrators.
• Promote common sense anti bullying policies - establishing justice and fairness for each student.
• If necessary, provide a volunteer or funds to hire an attorney to represent a student victim of bullying.


Personal Comments:

When my son died by suicide as a direct result of bullying in his school, my grief was beyond words. Now, I wish to do all I can to prevent another parent from going through that same pain. Bullying, depression and suicide has no boundaries, no political party, no unseen agenda. It doesn't matter what religion, color, stature, weight, height a student is, or if a student is homosexual or not.  There is no excuse for bullying, and no one deserves to be bullied!  Please support The Wounded Child Project and make a difference for a wounded child.

How to Help
 

Send a donation to Bully Police USA by "snail mail" to: Bully Police USA C/O Brenda High 7624 Deseret Drive Pasco, Washington  99301 or call 509-547-1052

http://www.BullyPolice.org - Policing the States and Schools for Bullies
http://www.JaredStory.com - The Story of a Boy, Bullying and Suicide
http://www.TheWoundedChild.org - One Child - Two Voices
http://www.Bullycide.org - Synopsis of our book - Bullycide in America: Moms Speak Out About the Bullying/Suicide Connection

"If you believe you're right... stand up and fight for your place in the sun. If you believe you can do it, hang in for the whole 15 rounds because even if you don't win, you will have earned the respect of everyone in the fight, including yourself, and in that sense you will have prevailed."    Erin Brockovich, Legal Assistant

 

STORIES OF "BULLYCIDES" (SUICIDES ATTRIBUTED TO BULLYING)	STORIES OF BULLYING SURVIVORS WHO SPEAK ABOUT THE PAIN
The "Bullycide" of Jared High The "Bullycide" of April Himes The "Bullycide" of Jeffrey Johnston The "Bullycide" of Jessica Haffer The "Bullycide" of Corinne Sides The "Bullycide" of Ryan Halligan Our Special Cassie The "Bullycide" of Matt Epling "I wish I could reverse time" "Nice Girls Finish Last Too" Bullies who Kill - Brandon's Story The "Bullycide" of Desire' Dreyer	Matthew's Story Bruce's Story The "Hidden" Disability School, The Nightmare! "When Black Ants Scream" (pdf) Dacia's "Homework" Wounded Kids/Parents talk Roger Dean Kiser Silent Rage by Bill Rose Joey's Page - BullyFree4Me Questions about Jared & Bullying The Gentle Giant

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ARTICLES Bullying	ARTICLES Bully-Prevention
An Interview With a Killer School Violence Chat on ABC "Popularity Wars" - Dr. M. Thompson Been Harassed at Work? The Legal Connection Grading Anti Bullying Laws Been Harassed in School?	Bullying is an ADULT Problem STOP BULLYING! Suicide and Schools Letter to the Education Committee Making a Difference An Anti Bullying "Travel Log" in AZ AMA - Physicians & Bullying

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BULLYING OR "BULLYCIDE" in the NEWS Victims Fight Back - lawsuit The Wounded Spirit Wounded Kid's talk Serious Bullying - School Shootings $11 Million Ruling - NY

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HEAR JARED'S VOICE - PLAY - From an interview with Pasco School District investagators concerning the assault.  This is a recording of a recording and it isn't real clear, but worth the download effort.  Jared had a real mellow voice.     Note: If you have a slow load wav, wait for it to load entirely and then play again from the start.   5 minutes long.

Keep the BALANCE in your life!
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