There is a price to pay if we remain silent on the subject of bullying.
That was just one clear and concise message delivered to a small, but attentive, audience comprised of both young people and adults who attended an evening presentation on bullying awareness last Wednesday evening in the Sacred Heart School gymnasium.
Const. Lana Gropp of the Estevan Police Service (EPS), provided the details during a 40 minute power point/video presentation.
She said she is visiting all Estevan schools and making presentations to both students and later, the parents during an evening schedule.
She pointed out the many forms bullying can take, including online cyber styled tactics as well as "in the face," styles that need to be addressed.
Citing instances when she had been bullied herself as a young girl, Gropp, the EPS school resource officer, said her information therefore came from personal experiences as well as from other educational resource providers.
"It's important to tell other people what's going on," she told the parents. "Otherwise there is a price to pay for silence."
She said the victim who suffers in silence can conjure up all kinds bad situations that can lead to terrible circumstances including suicide. Bullying activities can lead to brutality.
Standing up for a bullying victim is one first-line of defence, she said. That doesn't have to mean 小蓝视频 physical, but merely indicating that a front of support is enough to send a bully away.
Children, in particular, are bullied for a variety of reasons. They can consist of sexist, racist, or homophobic remarks, unwanted touching, teasing, hair pulling, texting harassment, gestures and written threats.
"I have to tell kids these days they must be aware of what they put out there, it's there forever," she said, referring to text messages and other forms of Internet communications.
"Rumours can fly quickly over the Internet, so what you put on your computer can never be taken back," Gropp said.
Yes, bullies can be ticketed by police, but so many young people don't fear that prospect, it is not considered to be a hugely useful tool. They don't fear the consequences, she said.
Bullies are bullies because they generally suffer from low self-esteem, poor grades, stress of rejection or isolation and some can be extremely sensitive and nervous. So in many instances, bullies themselves; are victims until they can get help to resolve their problems, or grow out of that persona.
Parents need to know the signs that their children are 小蓝视频 bullied, said the police officer. Showing up with cuts and bruises, or fearing to go to school are just a couple of the obvious ones. Never inviting friends over is another good sign.
"If you wear different clothing, which was one of the reasons I had been bullied as a kid, is one thing that attracts bullies. Physical differences, a different education, religious or cultural background might set you up for a bully," she said.
Children 小蓝视频 bullied often end up introverted, seeking solitude and they might even acquire a speech impediment along the way.
"I tell kids not to talk back to a bully, but simply walk away with dignity and then refer the matter to an adult. I want the kids to know we'll listen to the problem and let them know they are never alone because even the anticipation of 小蓝视频 bullied is debilitating," Gropp said.
"Bullies want to inflict pain, either physical or psychological, such as the old social isolation game, like saying 'you won't be my friend anymore unless you do this or that,'" Gropp added.
Statistics point out that 62 per cent of the bullying tactics deployed now are cyber inflicted and include exclusion and defamation tactics. Continual threats, sexting and all kinds of Internet tricks to get a response, should be ignored after blocking them out, she advised.
"Even with support, sometimes the victims just snap and end up as suicide subjects, so that's why we have to come down hard on bullies and even a small gesture of support can mean a lot," Gropp said, recounting her breakthrough moment as a victim when a senior student at her school simply gave her a wave of recognition and a kind word in the hallway that let her know she was no longer going to suffer in isolation.
"It is a growing problem in the city and in our schools, and often the schools don't realize the magnitude of the bullying that is going on there," Gropp said.
"So as parents, be an advocate and be aware of what the kids are going through. Check the phone messages, invade their privacy if need be and as parents, you have to know when something's not right with your kid, so pry a little bit. You have to know the communication avenues your child is using, encourage an open relationship with them and caution them as to whom they should invite onto their Facebook page or contact list. It's so easy for them to fall victim to impersonators and predators."
Gropp said she was available as a peace officer as well as an adult friend for the young people she visits in the schools. She said her role is well defined and she has meted out advice and helped counsel some young victims while dealing with bullies through law enforcement means when necessary.
Gropp was thanked by Sacred Heart principal Mary Ellen Bareth for her words of advice and the information provided.
