Bullies target a person with the intent of harming physically, emotionally, or socially. Bullying is rarely innocent and happens for a variety of reasons. The presence of the bullied person is not welcome and he/she must pay for being different and is made to feel that he/she will not belong easily if at all.
Bully Stoppers is an online resource that includes learning modules and advice sheets to help students, parents, teachers, and principles address and prevent bullying. The following is drawn from that reference.
Children who are bullied could do any of the following:
- Tell someone they trust and write down the actions with dates and times.
- Ask for help: Targeted children need to ask for advice on how to address the issue.
- Confront the bully(ies) confidently if it is safe to do so alone or ask a friend to accompany them.
- Think of the people who love and support them and draw strength from this.
- Accept that we should not please people at the expense of what we like, who we are, or what is better for us.
- Avoid being intimidated by the bullies by ignoring them.
- Not internalise the negative outcomes intended by the bullies and understand that it is not their fault that they are targeted.
- Avoid retaliating from the bully(ies) as this tactic rarely works.
- Engage in activities in and outside school that help develop fulfilment and positive self-worth.
- Befriend children who are supportive.
Unfortunately, the topic is rarely resolved on its own. Schools have an important role to play in building healthy social networks on the school grounds so children grow up to become successful members of their societies and the world. Teachers and principals need to be part of the solution by establishing anti-bullying programs in schools. Empowering each child is the first step.
Reference:
State Government of Victoria. Department of Education and Training. (2019). I’m being bullied. Retrieved from https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/students/health/Pages/studentbullied.aspx
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