Troubled by the menace of bullying in their school, students at the CAS School in Karachi took up the challenge of educating their peers about what bullying is, its harmful effects for everyone as well as how to escape being a victim of bullying. Through powerpoint presentations as well as distribution of flyers and pamphlets to the student body on the subject, the school environment has become much more sensitive to bullying and the importance of eliminating it.
2. What Is Bullying?
Bullying is a form of abuse. Bullying is when
someone (or a group of people) with more
power than you repeatedly and intentionally
uses negative words and/or actions against
you, which causes you distress and risks
your well being.
3. Forms of Bullying:
There are five kinds
of bullying:
Physical bullying Verbal bullying Social bullying
Psychological
bullying
Cyber bullying
4. Difference between bullying
and teasing?
Teasing
Teasing occurs when you playfully poke fun at each other and neither party feels
hurt. Everyone may have a good laugh but it is all in fun. Most importantly,
playful teasing is not directed at someone’s difference, such as religion,
ethnicity, speech or appearance.
Bullying
Bullying is intentional. This means that the bully intends to hurt the other person.
Bullying also involves an imbalance of power, like an older child bullying a
younger one. Bullying is also an aggressive and negative behavior. Bullying can
happen over and over.
5. How to deal with bullying on
your own?
If you're in a bullying situation that you think may escalate
into physical violence, try to avoid being alone (and if you
have a friend in this situation, spend as much time as
you can together). Try to remain part of a group by
walking home at the same time as other people or by
sticking close to friends or classmates during the times
that the bullying takes place.
6. Effects of bullying
Bullying only has negative effects, both on the bully and the victim.
Effects on victim:
Fearful of riding the school bus, using the bathroom or being alone in
the hallway.
Can cause the child to experience fear, depression, anxiety, low self-
esteem, negative thinking and in some cases even suicidal thoughts.
They may loose confidence in themselves and not want to go to school
or any public place.
They may find it difficult to maintain positive relationships.
They may want to change the way they are and may hurt themselves.
They may use alcohol or drugs in the future.
7. Effects on the bully:
Have low academic achievement.
Bullies are more likely to drop out of school.
Future impact:
The bully may be involved in crime, stealing, smoking,
alcohol or drug abuse.
8. Our Initiatives:
During the previous week we held a campaign
against bullying in our school:
We put up posters, handed out flyers lots of
badges to both the senior and the junior section
students.
The junior students were much more receptive
towards our idea unlike the senior students who
needed more persuasion.
By the end of the week everyone was aware of our
idea and were talking about how to put a stop to
bullying.
9. Conclusion:
We learnt that bullying only has negative effects. No child should be
bullied. Our school is also taking initiative towards these ruthless
acts.
One reason why bullying goes on in the playground is because of the
lack of adult supervision. During our break, there are at least two or
three teachers on duty that make sure that no one is getting bullied.
We also have a counseling programme in our school.
Also the ‘Circle of Care’, a committee of volunteers is present in our
school. One of the things on their agenda is make sure that no one
is getting bullied.
We hope that none of us fellow peers will get bullied by others or will
turn into a bully in the future. This ruthless act has to stop. So join
hands with us to put a stop to bullying.
NO MORE