Bullying
and Guns at School
Are you afraid that a kid at school might
be dangerous, AND afraid of being called a tattletale? Most
schools will protect your privacy. They won't tell who told
them. They’re very careful not to. Pretend that you're
asking them for change in the cafeteria. Tell people you
went to a guidance counselor to talk about your grades.
Nobody has to know why you really went to talk to them.
Bullying
is one of the most minimized and persistent problems in
our schools today. The sad thing is – it’s a reality
for all children, whether they’re victims, witnesses,
or they’re the bullies.
Children
are born into the world innocent – without defenses.
Another child or an adult comes along who is a product of
abuse, rage, or being a ‘bully’ victim and the
cycle continues. Whether it’s at school or at home,
anyone who is bullied will very often feel depressed and
have low self-esteem. And if you’re a bully, you are
more likely to be hostile and antisocial. If you’re
a bully, who has been bullying you?
Do
You Know What Bullying Is?
It’s
physical harm, it’s verbal and emotional terrorism,
it’s sexual harassment, its racism … and at times
it can grow into much more serious abuse – and criminal
behavior.
If
someone is hitting, biting, kicking, punching, pinching
you, pulling your hair, tripping you – that’s
physical bullying.
If
someone is relentlessly teasing you, calling you names,
spreading rumors about you, leaving you out of group activities
– that’s verbal and emotional terrorism.
If
someone touches you inappropriately, snaps your bra strap,
stares at your body, or makes sexual comments – that’s
sexual bullying.
If
someone is using racial slurs against you, making fun of
your customs, the color of your skin, your accent, or the
food you eat, if they spray symbols and graffiti on your
house, if they tease you about your country – that’s
racial bullying.
Bullying
is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power
over another person.
Some of the ways they bully other people are by: calling
them names, saying or writing nasty things about them, leaving
them out of activities, not talking to them, threatening
them, making them feel uncomfortable or scared, taking or
damaging their things, hitting or kicking them, or making
them do things they don't want to do.
Have
any of these things happened to you? Have you done any of
these things to someone else? Bullying is wrong behavior
which makes the person being bullied feel afraid or uncomfortable.
Understanding
Bullying
They
may see it as a way of being popular, or making themselves
look tough and in charge. Some bullies do it to get attention
or things, or to make other people afraid of them. Others
might be jealous of the person they are bullying. They may
be a victim of being bullied themselves.
Some
bullies may not even understand how wrong their behavior
is and how it makes the person being bullied feel.
If
a kid is being bullied, they will pick on other kids because
it’s the only thing they know and it’s a way of
dealing with it. Bullying makes them feel powerful. They
have a special need to feel popular – because they’re
never praised at home. The bully is really insecure, but
they’ll never let you see that side of them. They’ll
go after someone weaker, smaller, and different. They’ll
take away your self-esteem and scare you.
Bullying
Is Harmful
Some
people think bullying is just part of growing up and a way
for young people to learn to stick up for themselves. But
bullying can make young people feel lonely, unhappy and
frightened. It makes them feel unsafe and think there must
be something wrong with them. They lose confidence and may
not want to go to school any more. It may make them sick.
STATISTICS
PROVE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND BULLIED HAVE
A HIGHER PROPENSITY FOR USING GUNS!
SANTEE,
CA., March 2001 – A 15-year-old boy took a .22-caliber
revolver from his father's collection of weapons. He brought
as many as 40 rounds of ammunition to his high school in
his backpack, and fired 30 of them during the shooting rampage.
He killed two schoolmates and injured 13 others.
ST
PAUL, MN., February 2001 - Two 5-year-old girls were suspended
from an elementary school in St. Paul after one of them
brought a loaded gun to school in a small handbag. Police
say the gun belonged to the girl’s grandfather, who
stored it in a purse at the home they share. Prosecutors
are considering charges against the student's grandfather.
WEST
PHILADELPHIA, PA, March, 2001 - An 8-year-old student at
an elementary school in West Philadelphia was taken into
custody by police after he brought a handgun to school and
later threatened a 9-year-old girl. Police found an unloaded,
9mm semi-automatic pistol and a loaded clip for the weapon
in the boy's book bag. The gun had been reported stolen
in January 1999. Police later charged the 24 year old uncle
of the boy with reckless endangerment.
LITTLETON,
CO, April, 1999 - Two boys, 17 and 18 years old entered
their school, walking through the cafeteria, shooting as
they walked. The massacre continued throughout the school.
An hour and a half later, 15 were dead, including the two
boys who killed themselves. Police confirmed that the two
boys had arsenals in their bedrooms.
These
are only a few of the stories about gun violence. Sadly,
there are so many more! And many of them began with bullying!
Are
You Being Bullied? Here’s How You Can Stop It!
Coping
with bullying can be difficult, but remember, you are not
the problem, the bully is. You have a right to feel safe
and secure.
If
you're different in some way, be proud of it! Stand strong.
Spend time with your friends - bullies hardly ever pick
on people if they're with others in a group.
You've
probably already tried ignoring the bully, telling them
to stop and walking away whenever the bullying starts. If
someone is bullying you, you should always tell an adult
you can trust. This isn't telling tales. You have a right
to be safe and adults can do things to get the bullying
stopped.
Even if you think you've solved the problem on your own,
tell an adult anyway, in case it happens again.
An adult you can trust might be a teacher, school principal,
parent, someone from your family or a friend's parent. If
you find it difficult to talk about being bullied, you might
find it easier to write down what's been happening to you
and give it to an adult you trust.
What
Can You Do If You See Someone Else Being Bullied?
If
you see someone else being bullied you should always try
to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying
is okay with you.
Treat
others the way you would like to be treated. Show the bully
that you think what they're doing is stupid and mean. Help
the person being bullied to tell an adult they can trust.
Are
You A Bully?
Have
you ever bullied someone? Think about why you did it and
how you were feeling at the time. If you are sometimes a
bully, try to find other ways to make yourself feel good.
Most
bullies aren't liked, even if it starts out that way. Remember
… treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Get
Help
Teachers
and parents have a special responsibility for looking after
kids – especially helping you if you’re being
bullied at school. It’s not so easy to identify a bully.
Is the bully really being hostile and aggressive toward
you or are they just having what they call ‘fun?’
When
someone is bullied at school, your friends and acquaintances
usually know what is going on. Even though they’re
not involved they know it’s happening. Adults can’t
always tell and need your help in order to help you or your
friends.
All
members of a school community — whether they’re
kids or teachers, have a responsibility to help kids who
are being bullied. You and your friends must speak out against
the bullies.
Nobody has the right to hurt anyone else by hitting them,
calling then names or doing anything which is
hurtful.
Bullying is wrong – no matter how old you are.
If
an adult is bullying you or trying to make you do something
you think is wrong, it is imperative that you
tell someone immediately.
Help
Your Friends
You
can help other kids who are being bullied. Encourage them
to talk to an adult, or offer to talk to an adult on their
behalf. You might be able to let bullies know that you do
not like what they are doing and that you are determined
to stop them. Be empowered. Tell the bully you don’t
like what they’re doing to your friends. Walk away.
Don’t give in to their threats or challenges.
Help
Your School
Take
part in your school's anti-bullying activities. Some schools
have taken the following measures to help:
Some schools have set up Bully boxes. Kids can put notes
in the box if they are too worried to tell someone.
If your school has boxes like these use them wisely. Always make
sure that anything you write about is the truth.
Be
a buddy to a younger student. Older students can sometimes
volunteer to help new students coming into their school
by getting to know them and by helping them with any problems.
Special
campaigns, such as a "no-bullying day" can be
a big help.
Counseling
is a good way of talking to someone. Kids who are being
bullied, or who are bullying others, can be helped through
counseling by a trained professional.
Some
schools have set up peer counseling where kids volunteer
to learn how to help other kids.
Mediation
- some schools have introduced mediation where two people
who disagree about something agree that a third person,
either an adult of another student, helps to find a
solution to a problem. This can be helpful in many situations, but
not in all cases of bullying. A bully may refuse to take part
because they have no interest in ending the bullying.
A victim may feel that a negotiated solution is not
fair when it is the other person who is completely
in the wrong.
Taking
part in plays and other drama activities can help people
to understand what it feels understand what it
feels like to be bullied and to think about what they can do
to stop it.
Peer
Support, where older students volunteer to discuss things
like bullying, friendship or drugs with groups of younger
students.
Teachers,
students, support staff, parents and administrators need
to work as a team to take action against bullying.
If
You Think Someone Might Be Planning To Do Something
Dangerous:
Keep
yourself safe, stay away from the person.
Tell
an adult you trust and respect, and who has taken you
seriously in the past — maybe a family member,
guidance counselor, teacher, principal, school psychologist,
school security officer, or religious leader.
If
you think the person might be planning to hurt you,
or someone else, don't take a weapon
to school to protect yourself.
Don't
try to go it alone ... TELL Someone!
Save your Life … Save your Classmates’ Lives
…
Telling Isn’t Tattling!
Parents Can Learn More About Bullying Below:
Bullying And Guns At School
Bullying Prevention Bill Of Rights For Parents and Students
Bullying Prevention Laws
Notice of Harrassment- What Parents Can Do To Stop Bullying
Parents Helping to Stop Bullying and School Violence
Time For School ... Time For Bullying Prevention
Cyberbullying
Kids Can Learn More About Bullying Below:
Stop Bullying
Bullying At School
Bullying: What Have I Ever Done To You
Cyberbullying
Cell Phone and Text Messaging Safety
Online Safety For Kids and Teens
Miss Teen New Jersey International 2007 Stand Against Bullies
