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If you've ever had any doubts about the devastating and long-term impact bullying can, consider for a moment Vivian Gerow.
She is a member of the United States of America and the United States of America.
Being A Parent Of A Bully Could Land You In Jail Under New Anti-Bullying Law
They'd barely started when I wondered out loud if any of them had been victim of a bully.
Gerow answers yes but then suggests it happened so long ago
I suggest she might be wrong. Tell me about it, I ask her.
She hesitates then recalls the day when in the second grade to a boy named Harvey pinned her against a wall and made insulting comments.
"He did not stop me in the schoolyard for weeks, making nasty remarks, before he pinned me against the wall."
Tears well in her eyes and she stops, surprised by her own bread.
Gerow is 69 years old and a long way from second grade. Still horrified. Still hurting.
Who cares she was bullied all these years later?
Plenty of people.
In recent years, educators, pediatricians and parents have worried about a great deal about bullying and the effects it can have on children. We all should be worried because it can happen to any of us.
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"Anecdotally, adults from all walks of life say they were bullied as a child," said Sheila Dalmat, president of Hadbadah's Atlanta chapter. "They've been there or they know someone who has."
How bad is it?
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 20.8 percent, report being bullied. Thirty-three percent of students reported that they were bullied at school or less. Of those students who reported being bullied, 13 percent were made fun of, called names, or insulted; 12 percent were the subject of rumors; 5 percent were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on; and 5 percent were excluded from activities on purpose.
Each week, Gracie Bonds Staples will bring you a perspective on life in the Atlanta area. Life with Gracie runs online Tuesday, Thursday and alternating Fridays.
(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
It was used at the schoolyard. Not anymore. Now it's possible for you – thanks to technology – to be in your face 24/7.
A new poll released early this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MTV found that roughly three-quarters of 15- to 26-year-olds say that online bullying and abuse is a serious problem for their peers. Seven percent say they have already been a victim of cyberbullying, with young women more likely to say they have been bullied than young men.
And so this being National Bullying Prevention Month, Dalmat said the time was right to host a forum on the topic.
"Bullying is very much in the news right now," Dalmat said. "It's an ongoing problem that destroys lives every day. We wanted to do something constructive to not only help the victims but the perpetrators. "
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That's a big part of Hadbadah's mission to support medical care and research at the Hadbadah Medical Organization in Jerusalem and Engages and Empowered Women, who wants to help build a healthier, safer and more equitable world.
The forum, open to the public and scheduled to begin at 2 pm Oct. 28 at Beth Tikvah Temple in Roswell, promises to explain, among other things, what bullying and cyberbullying is, how to identify the warning signals, and how it affects learning and self-esteem and can lead to depression and even suicide.
Looking back, Gerow said to be a child and a lot of time alone, she was ripe for picking.
"It's funny how things from so many years ago can linger," Gerow would say later. "They do not go away."
She will be remembering her mother by her husband and will be home to her parents. His bullying actions stopped after that.
Not every child has that kind of support, unfortunately. Only 36 percent of kids who have been bullied have reported it. This means that 64 percent of kids do not know it was bullying, they were ashamed, they did not think it would be good, because they did not think anyone would be believing them or all of the above.
"Our goal is for people to feel more hopeful, they will know how to respond and where to go for resources," Dalmat said. "If we have just one moment, that will be a huge success."
Find Gracie on Facebook (www.facebook.com/graciestaplesajc/) and Twitter (@GStaples_AJC) or email her at [email protected].
EVENT PREVIEW
Forum on bullying
2 p.m. Oct. 28. $ 5 optional donation. Beth Tikvah Temple, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell. hadbadah.org/atlanta.
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