Page 14 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 5 _2023

Home Front

DISEMPOWERING

Bullying

AR TICLE WRITTEN B Y NICOLEEN D A VIES, DIRECT OR LIFE TALK FORUM

he best way to describe bullying is as behaviour in sleeping or eating issues, anxiety, mental and physical
that hurts someone, through words or actions, health issues, low self-esteem, depression and even
using repetitive and intentional behaviour result- suicide. Students who bully others also have an increased
Ting in a real or perceived imbalance of power. This risk of lowered academic performance, may engage in
could take the form of physical assault, threats, rumours, substance abuse as teens and even violent behaviour as
abuse, intimidation, teasing – in the real world or online as they move from adolescence to adulthood. Ironically, the
cyberbullying. bully and the victim are in fact mirroring each other –
both are traumatised in some way, both feel powerless in
The statistics are daunting: their lives. They are just reacting differently to it, the bully
• 35% of school-going children are bullied. being the aggressor and the victim withdrawing passively.
• 64% don’t report it. Empowering your child can make a difference.
• Bullied students are more than twice as likely to
think about suicide. As parents, we can empower our children, through guidance
and coaching, helping them to learn to be assertive by building
The effects of bullying are significant. For those being their self-esteem and confidence, and encouraging them to
bullied, it could affect their academic performance, result stand up for themselves and others, or even to a bully.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD to withdraw further, rather than to EMPOWERING YOUR CHILD
There are various ways to support your be more assertive. Bullies are everywhere – on the
child if they are being bullied and you • Don’t blame them - no one ever playground, in the classroom, on the
may want to consider some of the deserves to be bullied. sports field, in your circle of friends
following: • Don’t encourage them to fight back. and even in the workplace. It is
• Talk to your child and check in This can only make things worse inevitable that a bully will cross paths
regularly. By staying close to them and, if it should happen at school, with your child, so the best thing we
you will be able to pick up when they could be suspended or even can do for our children is to teach
something is out of place. What expelled. Physical violence is never a them how to be resilient, to help them
they aren’t telling you may be more resolution to a problem. build solid self-esteem and to think
important than what they are saying, • Teach self-esteem. It truly is the most positively about life.
so pay attention. important life skill you can give your
• Never tell them to ignore the bully. child. To help them build up their self-
Ignoring the problem is not the • Be positive and encourage a positive esteem, encourage them to be
answer and this may cause your child attitude in life. accepting of and confident in

8 DPL issue 11 2022
6 DPL issue 10 2022
8 DPL issue 5 2022
14 DPL issue 5 2023