Bullying

In reply to Laura Payne's blog on 'Bullying', Tuesday 24th March 2009.

Bullying has devastating consequences if suffered long term. It reduces self esteem, confidence and well being of a person and it affects their home life, school work as well as health. Some children hide it very well and the signs are not seen until it is too late, which unfortunately leads to some taking their own life. There is a huge stigma attached with being bullied, the inability to speak out and ask for help causes loneliness as well as isolation.

We very often assume that it is the vulnerable, weak or children with special needs that suffer bullying, but this is not the case. Bullying affects children of all ages, of all backgrounds regardless of ability. We need to educate our children in how to spot the early signs, who to ask for help and how to put a stop to it. It is not acceptable, it is wrong and must be stopped....

Parents also need to made aware of the signs and possibly behaviour changes that occur when their child is being bullied. Education is the key to making bullying extinct...