Studies show that bullying leaves behind more than just bad memories, it can scar someone for life.
A recent study conducted by Avon, left viewers and readers speechless, after it was revealed how bullying by peers may cause mental illness later in life more so than physical, emotional, or even sexual abuse at home.
Youth in all categories were interviewed for the study, which showed that youth who are bullied by their peers faced an increased risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies, whether or not they had a history of abuse by adults.
All kinds of abuse take a strong hold and the affects may last a life-time.
Researchers have said that most governments have spent so much time focusing on child abuse that bullying has slipped under the radar, and now it is time to face the music.
This is not just a problem Canadians face, it is a problem for people world-wide. The problem is not just the person being bullied, but the bully.
In this day in age, bullying has taken on a new form, and although it is more easily traceable, can be more difficult to discover. Social media has brought bullying to a whole new level, with the ability to bully fellow classmates without ever uttering a single word.
Schools have taken action, especially for younger ages, and offer programs that help students learn the ultimate affect bullying has on another student. This may be helping, but youth are not the only ones affected.
Adults in the working world should know better, but that hasn’t stopped bullying from coming into the workplace.
In an effort to stop bullying, the Town of Barrhead implemented a Bullying By-law in 2008, which has consequences much bigger than a slap on the wrist.
The first offence is a fine of $250, with a second escalating up to $1,000.
This is one way to stop bullying both on and off the playground, and although rarely used, puts solid consequences on the table for adult bullies.
One would think that because adults are older that bullying shouldn’t be a problem, but it is, and workplace harassment is not taken lightly.
Bullying is a problem that goes beyond the playground and into the working world, and although they are trying to take care of it at a school board level, there also needs to be action from the workplace point as well.
No matter what age or stage, bullying is never okay, whether on the swing set or at the cubical. Bullying is not a problem that will ever go away, but for every bully stopped, who knows how many others will be spared.
