AfriForum speaks about anti-bullying campaign
This campaign serves to raise awareness of bullying in schools and includes information sessions with learners.
AfriForum’s anti-bullying campaign team visited Maroelaland and Forest nursery school in Centurion recently.
This campaign seeks to raise awareness of bullying in schools and includes information sessions with learners.
AfriForum’s manager for youth leadership Leandie Bräsler said that it was important to work with learners, teachers and parents to make a difference and curb bullying in schools.
“Safe schools also ensure a safe community, not only now, but also in the future. Every learner who attends the anti-bullying talk is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to act as a leader in situations where bullying takes place; in other words, to be bully-resistant.
“Children are also taught to distinguish between bullying and conflict. Children as young as three years old can show bullying behaviour. It is especially important to start raising awareness in kindergartens – the sooner the better,” Bräsler said.
“A difference can be made in primary and high schools if we already start to make a difference in nursery schools,” she said.
AfriForum’s anti-bullying campaign has been creating awareness across the country since 2017, and empowers primary school learners to stand up against bullying behaviour and make a difference in their schools.
Signs that might indicate that your child is a victim of bullying:
– Unwillingness to go to school
– Difficulty sleeping
– Complains about stomach pains
– Changes in eating habit
– Appears moody and sad
– Feeling helpless, anxious and decrease in self-esteem
– Loss of friends
– Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings
– Loss of interest is schoolwork
– Declining grades
What can be done to help a child coming out of a bullying situation to make life easier for them:
– Always think proactively.
– Be honest. Tell your child that there will always be bullies in the world and that the chances of bullying being stopped completely are very slim. Therefore, tell your child that you will find different ways together to be empowered to overcome bullying.
– It is very important to have a good relationship with your child, because then they know that they can come to you for your support.
– Offer support and comfort. Always be there to listen. Children can sometimes feel ashamed or embarrassed when they were bullied, or they might worry that their parents will be reactive, upset, or disappointed.
– Let them know that bullying is not okay and that it is not their fault.
– It is a positive sign if your child spoke about the fact that he/she is a victim of bullying – praise them for doing the right thing by talking about it. Let them know that they are not alone.
– When you see that your child is not better emotionally, or still struggle with anxiety, it is time to get professional help.
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