We are facing an epidemic of massive proportions. Our children, family and friends are dying, literally being bullied to death. Something needs to be done and we are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Bullying should be a criminal offence which involves forced intervention and education. The schools do not do enough to keep our children safe. Where is the intervention and when do we stop blaming the victim. There needs to be safe place for our children to go and get help. The parents can only do so much and seem to face many barriers. I totally agree that we need to all educate our children and ask them if they want to sit on the sidelines or stand up for what is right. I am aware of schools who have a fifty fifty philosophy and when an occurrence happens they want them to sit down discuss it and then shake hands. There seems to be a permeating belief, in which you must have done something wrong as a victim to start the problem or have it continue on! Face it in life there are victims, bullies and those who sit in the sidelines. They say it takes a village to raise a child, now where is the village?
The list is lenghty of children who have committed suicide due to bullying is lengthy, preventable and sickening. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association in Canada, suicide accounts for 24 percent of all deaths among 15-24 years olds and 16 percent among 16-44 year olds.suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between 10 annd 24.
This must stop now please join us in saying that enough is enough and we will not sit by and allow another child to lose their life!
