Standing Up to Bullying

During Bullying Awareness Month this October, local experts want the public to know that there is more to bullying than just teasing – and if not addressed appropriately this can have lasting effects.

Organized by the Family Resource Centre (FRC), the celebration aims to educate the public on how to protect children from the effects of bullying, and to unite communities. With this objective in mind a number of activities have been organised throughout the month.

The Take a Stand Conference takes place on Wednesday, 15 October 2014 from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the George Town Public Library. This is organised as part of the Library’s lecture series and the FRC’s family skills sessions.

The event will include interactive presentations, hands-on activities and information for children, teens, parents and employers. LIME staff will also facilitate computer safety and cyber bullying prevention sessions. Refreshments will also be available. The event is free but registration is recommended. To register, interested persons are asked to contact the centre at 949-0006 or email [email protected]

FRC will also be offering sessions to students about being cyber brave: taking a stand against online and cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying does not allow children a time of respite or safe space to call home. It can range from sending mean messages or threats, spreading rumors, posting unflattering pictures to pretending to be someone else online.

FRC’s Programme Coordinator Miriam Foster said, “It is very easy to disconnect virtually and forget that there is a human being on the other side of that screen. Social media is meant to be about connection, not about disconnecting and causing harm to others. As parents we need to stress the importance of cyber etiquette and encourage our children to be cyber brave and stand up to others or report inappropriate conduct. We all have a part to play.”

Friday, 17 October, persons from various organizations, companies and schools are encouraged to wear pink STOOD UP t-shirts and take a visible, public stance against bullying by posting photos on their Facebook pages. Shirts are now available for sale. $10 for adults and $5 for children.

On Saturday, 18 October – Stand Up Day, the public is invited to participate in the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPWC) Silent Witness March at 12:00 pm. The walk will begin from Government Administration Building and end at the Legislative Assembly. Participants are also asked to wear their pink STOOD Up t-shirts.

Organisations are welcome to walk with their club banners during the march. Although BPWC organizes this annual event for domestic violence, it is now being extended to victims of bullying since these relationships are parallel.

Following this, speakers will share her personal story on bullying. Individuals will also get the chance to paint tiles as part of the Peace Wall that FRC is hoping to erect by next year. A slogan was also developed during Peace Day this past September, Bullying: Just Kids Being Kids, Until It’s Your Kid! This slogan will be displayed at various locations throughout the districts.

Ms Foster also urged parents to use the month as a good opportunity to talk with their children about bullying and their online experiences. Z99 and its sponsors are helping educate through radio public service announcements.

END

IMAGE: absarahmed.wordpress.com