Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Bullying: It’s time to focus on solutions

By Dannielle Miller - posted Tuesday, 30 August 2011


I was disturbed that many in the media portrayed the bullied boy, Casey, as a hero for fighting back. A Current Affair noted that he had "finally stood up for himself," as though up until then he'd been somehow morally weak and that the only true way to stand up for yourself is to use physical force.

I empathise with the boy who had been bullied, victimised and assaulted repeatedly before retaliating. But I think if we want to use the word "hero," we should look at the girl at the end of the video.

After the assaults, a friend of the bully comes forward to retaliate against the assault on the bully. The girl walks over and stands between them and assertively tells the bully's friend to back off.

Advertisement

One of the things that alarmed me in that video was the number of bystanders doing nothing or, worse still, filming the violence. The standard we walk past is the standard we set.

That girl was amazing. The fact that she came forward to stop the violence, in a nonviolent way, is to be celebrated and encouraged in all schools.

Teachers are of course responsible for doing everything they can to stop bullying. But the reality is that in 85% of cases, bullying takes place when there are no adults around. That's why it is so important to create a school culture in which bullying is not tolerated and bystanders are encouraged to step up and say: "It's not on!"

Get real about bullying:

Even today there are still some people who think bullying is just harmless name-calling. Bullying takes numerous serious forms:

Verbal-name calling, teasing, verbal abuse, humiliation, sarcasm, insults, threats;

Advertisement

Physical-punching, kicking, scratching, tripping, spitting;

Social-ignoring, excluding, alienating, making inappropriate gestures; and

Psychological-spreading rumours, glaring, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious texts, email messages, twitter or Facebook comments, inappropriate use of camera phones.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

9 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dannielle Miller is the CEO of Enlighten Education, a national company that works with teenage girls in high schools on developing positive body image and self esteem. Enlighten is the 2007 Australian Small Business Champion for Children's Services. She is also the author of an award winning blog for parents and educators on girls’ issues: enlighteneducation.edublogs.org. Dannielle is author of The Butterfly Effect pblished by Random House (2009). Dannielle's website is www.danniellemiller.com.au.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Dannielle Miller

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Dannielle Miller
Article Tools
Comment 9 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy