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Stop the Bullying |
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Let’s face it, school can sometimes be a stressful place. From dealing with tests, keeping up with the latest fashion fad, trying to camouflage that pesky zit, the last thing you need is to deal with a bully. Yet millions of students face a bully challenge every day. In fact, one in four (25 percent) students report having been bullied, and some admit to missing at least one day of school due to fears of bullying.
Bullying includes a wide range of verbal, physical or emotional abuse – name calling, starting rumors, shoving, pushing, hitting, sexual assault and more. AND it’s against the law in Florida (and in many other states). The “Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up For All Students Act” was signed into law by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on June 10, 2008. The law, named for the Cape Coral student who committed suicide in 2005 after being victimized by bullying classmates, requires all 67 Florida school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies by Dec. 1. It protects you from bullies, but it also helps remove them from your school. For more information on this law click here or for more tips on how to deal with bullying check out Stop Bullying NOW or the Peace Education Foundation.
In the meantime, here are some tips on different ways you can deal with a bully:
- Bullies like making other people angry. Don’t give them the satisfaction of making you upset. Humor may help, but let them know it doesn’t matter to you that they don’t like you.
- Ignore them. Sometimes not saying anything and walking away is the best approach. They’ll eventually get bored of messing with you and leave you alone.
- Let someone know, especially if the bullying continues. Tell an adult that you trust – your parents, a teacher or school counselor.
- There’s strength in numbers so be sure to hang with a group of friends.Most bullies like to pick on kids when they are by themselves. Have your friends eat lunch with you or walk home with a group.
Whatever you do, remember bullying is never acceptable – never.
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