SGT Lindile Moloi from Brackendowns SAPS invited security services and emergency services to speak to the Grade One learners at Brackenhurst Primary School about bullying.
The talk on bullying was delivered by Linda Goodenough, community development manager at Fidelity ADT. She discussed the impact of bullying on children and what they should do if they feel bullied.
Goodenough gave seven possible signs to look out for if someone is a bully.
A person is a bully if they:
• Hurt a person or group more than once on purpose, whether through words or physical violence, like hitting, pinching, pushing or shoving.
• Force their way onto someone, either face to face or on the internet.
• Whisper and giggle about others and call them names.
• Make things up to get someone into trouble.
• Take things away from their friends or children younger than them, for example, steal lunch money or someone’s lunch.
• Spread rumours about someone.
• Threaten someone; verbal abuse hurts as much as physical abuse.
Stop the bullies
She also explained to the children what to do if they feel some is bullying them. She says they should speak to their mom or dad, a brother, sister, uncle or aunt or if it is happening at school, they should speak to a teacher.
A bullied child may not want to do this because it makes them look vulnerable and weak or they think it will make things worse. But if they don’t, it will not stop. They have to stop it quickly.
She also gave advice to the people around someone being bullied. If they see someone else being bullied, they need to speak up, but do it confidentially because one does not want to be subjected to the same treatment. People who are being bullied need a friend. She encouraged the children to help someone if they could.
