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Bullying does not harm only the child being
bullied,
but has long term detrimental effects for everyone involved. In one study, 60% percent of those identified as a bully in grade school had at least one criminal conviction by age 24; 35 – 40% of those adults had three or more convictions. |
As many as 77% of all children have encountered some type of bullying, whether it be verbal, mental, or physical abuse, according to BullyStatistics.org. Bullying does not harm only the child being bullied, but has long term detrimental effects for everyone involved. Children who are bullied have a greater risk of depression, low self-esteem, are more likely to run away, and have a higher risk of abusing alcohol or drugs in their lifetime. Many parents are unaware that bullying can be just as destructive for the bully. In one study, 60% percent of those identified as a bully in grade school had at least one criminal conviction by age 24; 35 – 40% of those adults had three or more convictions.
As many as 77% of all children have encountered some type of bullying, whether it be verbal, mental, or physical abuse, according to BullyStatistics.org.
Lawmakers are aware of this escalating problem and are working attentively to reduce these numbers. New laws recently passed will assist schools and faculty in clearly defining bullying and setting up a procedure to address the issue.
CalVCP is dedicated to helping victims of school violence and bullying. For cases that qualify, CalVCP provides financial assistance for children that are victims of such situations. In cases where a child experiences mental distress from witnessing a crime, CalVCP will assist eligible students with counseling expenses.
Prevention is also an important aspect in dealing with bullying. The following tips can help parents prevent the abuse that stems from bullying:
- Know the signs – Unexplained bruises or cuts, fear of returning to school, a drop in grades, or depression can all be signs of bullying. Behavioral issues like getting in trouble at school or obsession with popularity may be signs that your kid is a bully.
- Open Communication – Often, kids will not want to share if they are having problems at school, but by simply asking your child how their day was or what they like most about their friends may give you some insight to their lives. If you do suspect a problem, explain to them that there’s no shame in being bullied and that it’s not their fault. Openly talking about it is the first step to fixing the problem.
- Learn conflict management- The key word is management; not all conflict in life is resolvable, but most times it is manageable. Teaching your children to know the difference and how to handle different types of conflict is a skill they can use for life.
- Adopt healthy hobbies - Encouraging your child to get involved in healthy hobbies in and out of school can be a great outlet for them to socialize, build new skill sets and healthy relationships. Having a hobby that assists your child in making friends and build confidence will be a positive influence that will assist them in dealing with any potential bullying.
- Pay attention to friends – Paying close attention to the company your child keeps can be a great indicator of the type of influences your child has. If you believe certain friends are a bad influence, it’s important that you address this promptly and redirect their attention to spending time with a more positive influence.
The task of raising a child to be a healthy, respectful, productive adult is a full-time job and can at times be overwhelming. By incorporating these tips, providing a loving home, and taking a genuine interest in your child’s life, you will undoubtedly get them headed in the right direction
