Ontario Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

In Ontario the week beginning on the third Sunday of November has now been designated as “Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week”.

Just ask any child or adult for that matter and you may be surprised to know that most if not all have been affected by or witnessed bullying at some level.

There are various types of bullying including:

Social/Emotional: name calling, teasing, spreading rumors, ignoring, excluding, ganging up, involving other peers, saying  mean or rude comments

Physical: Tripping, hitting, pushing, spitting or throwing things at someone, stealing or damaging ones belongings

Discrimination: bullying because of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, skin colour, weight, disabilities or any other factor that makes one “different”

Cyber bullying: uses technology to bully someone by sending embarrassing pictures, mean, harassing, threatening, untrue messages via text, email or on social networking sites, hacking into someone’s email pretending to be them

Cyber bullying can escalate quickly and no longer allows the victim to feel safe even in their own home. The bullying follows them everywhere.

To help protect one self, it is important to never share passwords to your phones, emails or social networking sites. Also, do not send anyone pictures you would not want seen by others, sadly, “friends” can often be involved in bullying.

Preventing bullying is extremely important as it can cause unnecessary stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, sleep and eating problems. In serious situations bullying could also result in suicide. Adults that were bullied as a child have a higher risk of depression during their adulthood.

If you are being bullied or know of someone that is being bullied please talk to someone you trust or contact The Kids Help line @ 1 800 668 6868 or www.kidshelpphone.ca

See the recent statement from the Minister of Education on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week by clicking here