Everybody has a role to play in ending cycle of bullying

News For You  

• University of Victoria professors seek to unionize
• Carver creating podium for UVic
• Greater Victoria Library Board approves Emily Carr branch relocation to Uptown
• Cyclists race to Windsor Park Sunday
• Johnson Street Bridge construction kicked off in Victoria

Share this story

Tweet

Editor:

How many kids have to end their lives before bullying stops?

The majority of us will say the answer to this question is zero.

Generally, people want bullying to stop. so we do our best to prevent it, but are we doing enough?

Do the lectures received in elementary school about the effects of bullying truly make a difference? Does Anti-Bullying Day really change a kid’s attitude?

After the suicide of a young girl, I feel it necessary to remind everyone of the individual roles they play in bullying and what they can do to prevent it.

The first role is the victim.

It’s important for victims to realize no one is ever alone. If you’re a victim of bullying, ask for help and I guarantee you will receive it.

People should never be afraid to make a difference in their own lives.

Secondly, there are the bystanders.

The truth is, to witness someone get bullied and not say anything is just as bad as being the bully.

If you are one of the people who so willingly answered “zero” to my initial question, then never be a bystander.

Stand up for anyone and everyone.

Finally, we have the bullies.

There is no excuse for bullying.

Bringing other people down for whatever reason is no way to live. Before a bully can learn how to respect others, they need to learn how to respect themselves.

Many kids have committed suicide as a result of being bullied.

It’s sad that it takes an event like this to remind us of the extremes of bullying.

Everyone can make a difference.

If you think your voice doesn’t matter, you are wrong.

In the case of bullying, your voice can potentially save someone’s life — and, that is worth fighting for.

Nikita Efimoff

Vernon