Is your child being bullied at school – look out for these warning signs

In schools, bullying occurs in all areas.

It can occur in nearly any part in or around the school building, though it more often occurs during school breaks, in hallways, bathrooms, on school buses and waiting for buses, classes that require group work and/or after school activities.

Bullying in school sometimes consists of a group of learners taking advantage of or isolating one learner in particular and gaining the loyalty of bystanders who want to avoid becoming the next victim.

These are some of the warning signs victims of bullying might display:

• Sudden decreased interest in school (wants to stay at home);
• Sudden loss of interest in favourite school activities;
• Sudden decrease in quality of school work;
• Wants the parent to take her to school instead of riding the bus;
• Seems happy on weekends, but unhappy, preoccupied, or tense on Sundays;
• Suddenly prefers the company of adults;
• Frequent illnesses such as headaches and stomach aches;
• Sleep issues such as nightmares and sleeplessness;
• Comes home with unexplained scratches, bruises, and torn clothing;
• Talks about avoiding certain areas of the school or neighbourhood;
• Suddenly becomes moody, irritable, or angry and starts bullying others (e.g., siblings, children in neighbourhood)
• Seeks the wrong friends in the wrong places (e.g. drug users, gangs, etc)
• Talks about being sad, anxious, depressed, or having panic attacks;
• Wants to stay home on weekends;
• Talks about suicide.

Source: South African Police Service

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