Preventing bullying is up to all of us

By Wendy Tepfer

Editor's note: Tepfer is director of the Bellmore-Merrick Community Parent Center.

Bullying is one of the most enduring problems in schools today across the country. It occurs when someone purposely and repeatedly says or does mean, nasty or hurtful things to another person who has trouble defending himself or herself. Bullying is a reality in the lives of many children--whether they are bullies, victims or witnesses.

The week of Oct 4-10 marks the Fourth Annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness campaign sponsored by PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights). Communities across the country are encouraged to work together to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children.

According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center:

_ Almost 30 percent of young people in U.S. in grades six through 10 are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both.

_ Seventy-seven percent of students are bullied mentally, verbally and physically at some point in their school careers.

_ Some 160,000 children nationwide stay home from school to avoid bullying annually.

_ Bullying is increasingly viewed as an important contributor to youth violence, including homicide and suicide.

Every day children are teased, threatened or tormented by bullies. Children who are bullied may endure physical and emotional scars. They may develop health issues such as headaches and stomachaches. They can become unhappy, anxious, insecure and develop low self-esteem. As a result, they may become withdrawn and suffer from depression. They may be afraid to go to school, use the school restroom or ride the school bus, and their schoolwork can be affected because they have trouble concentrating. Children should not have to endure these adverse experiences.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) offers this advice if you suspect your child is being bullied:

Do:

•Make sure your child knows that being bullied is not his or her fault.

•Let your child know that he or she does not have to face being bullied alone.

•Discuss ways of responding to bullies.