Bullying and Peer Abuse

When parents send their kids off to school every day, it’s typically assumed that their well-being will be tended to by their teachers and supervisors. However, bullying and peer abuse (such as hazing) among school-age children and young adults is a problem as old as mankind and continues to be widespread. Moreover, too many teachers and administrators are not up to the task of dealing with it. In many cases, the only tactic involved is denial.

It’s a tragic situation because the trauma that can be inflicted by harassment and peer abuse can damage children and adolescents for years to come. It can also lead to self-harm and numerous other issues that can harm or even destroy a young person’s life. While bullying can seem to be a matter simply between the young people involved, adults fully capable of controlling the situation should be held just as accountable for their negligence. Instead of immediately blaming children or dismissing their suffering, we must first take a look at the responsibilities we hold as adults.

In recent years, bullying has increasingly emerged on social media, an online world that gives abusers a wider a berth to attack others. Indeed, one reason bullying, both on and offline, is so prevalent is that, it is typically not illegal. Only in cases of extreme harassment, such as threats or physical assault is it breaking the law.

The easiest way to be proactive in protecting children from bullying is to first accept that it exists and that it most likely plays some part in nearly every child’s life, whether they are the victim, the perpetrator, or simply an onlooker. Only then can we hope to reduce the amount of bullying that is now so pervasive, and not only among young people,

Prevention Tips

In the case that your child’s \school or social/extra-curricular organization has made no effort to properly settle a case of peer abuse, there are ways to take it into your own hands.

• Be informed about bullying laws both federal and state. You can view more about the legal repercussions and what you can do here: https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html
• If your child confides in you about direct, indirect, physical or emotional bullying, you must validate their feelings instead of perpetuating their acceptance that being harassed is the norm of growing up.
• Show zero tolerance for any kind of peer abuse. Discipline children, especially your own, when it is witnessed.
• Teach your children to intervene when necessary.70.6% of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools. It has also been shown that, more than half the time, interveners end the bullying within 10 seconds (https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.html).

To end the normalization and lack of reporting of bullying and peer abuse, adults must step up and be available to the young people around them. Communication and support could be a major difference in a child’s life..