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Adults 'must step in to stop bullying'

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Published Date: 14 March 2007
By KEVIN SCHOFIELD
EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT
ADULTS should intervene if they see children being bullied, according to Hugh Henry, the education minister.
Mr Henry said it was vital that parents, neighbours and other grown-ups did not "turn a blind eye" if they witnessed one child attacking another.

He made his comments at the launch of an anti-bullying service backed by the Scottish Executive.
The Respectme service is made up of the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Youth Scotland and will, for the first time, target bullying both inside and outside the school gates.

Mr Henry said bullying was "always unacceptable" and that it was up to everyone in society to do what they could to stamp it out.

He said: "I think adults need to step in to stop bullying whenever they see examples of it, or to report it to the parents or to the school.

"Don't turn a blind eye. We all have a responsibility. If a child is being bullied or is being hurt, for God's sake don't turn your back on the child, do something about it."

Mr Henry said he was particularly concerned about the rise of so-called cyber-bullying, when young people are picked on via text message or e-mail.

The Executive will provide Respectme with £350,000 in each of the next three years.

The body will work with children's organisations to help them develop strategies to combat bullying.

It will also provide training and carry out a national assessment of anti-bullying resources.

Brian Donnelly, the director of Respectme, said: "It's every child's right not to be bullied, and our vision is of a society where children can live free from bullying and harassment."



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 March 2007 10:55 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Bullying at school
 
1

Mervin,

14/03/2007 02:11:00

So if one kid is physically bullying another and an adult steps in to stop it by pulling off the bully will the law protect the adult from the inevitable assault charge that follows?

Thought not.

2

james 1st,

nz 14/03/2007 05:46:20

punishing bullies physically is the only way to combat bullying . i was at a kindergarten recenty , three young boys were bullying other little kids, one then hit a boy who punched him, one of the other boys then said to him ,oh you dont pick on him , he hits back, under five and already learned that lesson

3

Liz Carnell / Bullying Online,

14/03/2007 05:51:56

The charity Bullying Online at www.bullying.co.uk has a large amount of practical advice and information to help parents and pupils deal with school bullying. There's also a section useful for teachers doing work in class.

Interested to know how bullying outside the school gates will be tackled. For instance, will it mean that a head teacher will be able to take action over bullying on the journey to and from school in the same way that they can over incidents on school premises.

Liz Carnell FRSA
Director
Bullying Online
www.bullying.co.uk

4

Guga,

Rockall 14/03/2007 06:53:27

#1 Mervin. I agree, it's a good way to get yourself done for assault; either that or get yourself stabbed.

The trendies will give you no protection for intervening.

5

SouthernSkye,

Currently Köln 14/03/2007 07:16:44

#1 and #4. Agreed.
It's a sad reflection on society today.
The natural urge is always to help anyone in trouble/injured but then you stand to have your a*se sued off at the drop of a hat.
I'd probably still intervene however.

6

,

14/03/2007 09:59:52
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
7

Didaskalos,

Borders 14/03/2007 10:31:49

Agree with the majority here. Those of us who work with children and have to be checked by Disclosure Scotland would lose our safety status and with that would go job etc. #6 is right - MSPs could make changes to the law but they will not. All the cant against bullying is meaningless as long as the bullies automatically have control where law is involved.

8

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 10:37:57

The problem as already has been stated is that youngsters have rights but no responsibilities, therefore they can do as they please while knowing they are virtually untouchable by the law.

Perhaps one of the reasons for our huge prison population is this junior untouchable status which abruptly changes at age 16 then bang what these kids have come to accept as normal behaviour lands them a jail sentence.

We have a little mob who hang around the town centre in the evenings hurling abuse and threatening all and sundry. I am absolutely certain that on my own I could have the whole little crew running for the hills with the imprint of a size 10 on their insolent backsides.

But should I step in and take this action what would be the result? Local opinion would almost certainly be good on yer mate. What would actually happen is the police would knock on my door charge me with assault and chuck me in the tanty.

This is a situation created over the long term by the politically correct who have removed the right to discipline our young from parents and communities.

Had I ever dared behave like the abovementioned neds I would have received a kick up the arse from the first adult who recognised me and dragged home to face the music from my parents.

Strangely enough my pc incorrect childhood with this "brutal" discipline has resulted in a well adjusted adult with no criminal convictions, funny that.

9

bill-alba,

fife 14/03/2007 10:51:06

If u want things to change you have to intervene....worry about the courts later..

10

heather fae the hills,

14/03/2007 11:00:15

It is a horrible irony that the headline should invite adults to step in if they see bullying.

Why is this not being advocated at schools?
Why do Perth and Kinross ignore the anti bullying policy?
My little girl came home from school with a burst lip and black eye...she was 5 years old. The school had 11 pupils so it was not difficult to catch the bully but the headmistress, in her wisdom, had a system of giving sweets to the boy in question, if he did not hit any more.
Needless to say, I removed my daughter there and then.

How could I feasibly go and give a 7 year old a damn good hiding? You would become the bully yourself.

I would, however, be willing to administer a leathering to Hugh Henry for being a thoughtless twat.

11

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 11:28:40

#11 I admit that will probably work with the wee ones, Teenagers are another matter. With some of these you would end up in a confrontational situation with their mates egging them on.

What to do then, do you back down and take the subsequent abuse whenever they see you or do you accept the challenge and go to jail for assault on a minor (with lots of witnesses ie the neds mates that you started it and were the agressor) Catch 22 situation. Not trying to start an arguement just pointiing out the potential problems.

12

Apoplectic Insouciant,

Aberdeen 14/03/2007 11:39:10

I was bullied at school, not all the time but enough, it's not a nice place to be and one that you wouldn't want a friend or family member to be in. My youngest daughter suffers from it from a 'supposed' friend, and it's not so easy to step in, in fact it's very hard to handle.
It happens at school it happens in everyday life. People get bullied, races get bullied, countries get bullied. And our Education Minister suggests that the parents simply intervene. Shame on you Hugh Henry if you can't see the solutions offered in the above posts. Perhaps you need to look at your government's track record as a role model, and as the prime instigators of dumbed down education, law and order, before coming out with fatuous guidance like that. Asylum over lunatics taken - Re-arrange - Discuss

13

respectme,

14/03/2007 11:46:42

The headline Adults 'must step in to stop bullying', in today’s Scotsman is misleading, given the comments that have appeared above.

Respectme encourages adults to play an active part in helping children to feel safe by engaging with them and listening to them and by acting as role models and taking a real interest in their experiences. We are not suggesting that adults should wade in to groups of youths, rather that we all have a shared responsibility to promote the rights and responsibilities of children and young people.

If we ignore bullying and the signs of bullying we are failing our children.

Respectme will offer practical advice and solutions to parents and policy and practice guidance to professionals who come into contact with children in a wide variety of settings.


Brian Donnelly
Director of respectme
Cumbrae House
15 Carlton Court
Glasgow

14

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 12:01:27

14# I'm probably a little overfocussed on our local problem which comprises of a group of 12-15 year olds, they have made our town/village centre a no go area some evenings for the vulnerable. By that I mean you cannot ask a 14 year old to go to the local takeaway as they will likely likely return with no money and a black eye rather than a pizza.
My mother in law (in her 70's) will not walk round there because of the abuse and comments. Everyone around here knows who they are and who their parents are but the police are powerless, we had a local police initiative aimed at moving them on, yeah they moved on took a 5 minute walk round the square then came back once the police were called away to an incident.

Really all of this kind of behaviour is bullying whether it is a 7 year old hitting another kid or a group of neds terrorising their local community.

What the solution is, well that beats me, I really do not understand the pleasure that some people take in terrorising those smaller and weaker than themselves in my opinion it is wrongminded and perverse but thats just my opinion.

15

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 12:15:34

15# Magic word RESPONSIBILITIES,

At present many children do not have a role model due to the fact that in our economic situation both parents generally have to work to make ends meet, therefore the childs role models are either peers or the crap they watch on the telly. At the other extreme are the ones who have the role model of parents on the dole, hiding behind the sofa when the local provvy loanshark comes round for the weekly payment. Neither is a good thing. The root cause of the general bullying problem in our society is our society, poverty forcing both parents to work and so neglect the upbringing of their children. Children unfortunately are not born with morals and ethics, these must be instilled by parents. Take away the parents right to discipline and let the children know they cannot be disciplined. What do you get? Nasty amoral bullies who think might is right.

16

AD,

sunny Livingston 14/03/2007 12:29:24

#10 - Heather - hiya again - the head teacher giving that boy sweets was probably her idea of "positive reinforcement" .............. pity about the E numbers eh?!

Silly moo.

17

Benlomond,

14/03/2007 12:51:50

My wife complained about my son being bullied many times on the phone to the school and when I took the mater further i.e. visited the head mistress she virtually informed me that she had received no complaints because none were made in writing.
I couldn’t believe this we thug wasn’t bullying others so I asked her if any other parent had written about him she replied that’s confidential and I cant tell you that information.
The school was Kilbarchan Primary and I am sure Miss H****r was following school rules but in my opinion you need someone who wants to stop bullying.
Lesson 1. Don’t assume teachers are there to help.
Lesson 2. Make all complaints in writing and ensure you get a written reply before taking things further.
I might add the head teacher of Johnstone High sorted out this idiot in first year and my son’s school work improved so much he went to University.

18

heather fae the hills,

14/03/2007 13:10:36

Hi AD ...Yes, she was, but a parent told me she had been doing this since her laddies were bullied 24 years previously. The old bat was sitting tight for the full pension and to my knowledge she only retired last year. She quite unforgiveably told my wee one to hit the boy back. Old trout. I'm still fuming yet.

15 respectme

While I see what you are saying, it does seem a bit on the insipid side as a headstrong adolescent will be difficult to communicate with especially when he/she is with his/her peers.
I think a "One-strike-and-they-get-put-to-Rossie Moor" would work.
There is too much pussyfooting about with these spoiled surly mini-terrorists. Strict punishment to the bullies AND their parents.

19

Biker,

Ayr 14/03/2007 16:28:18

I actually dont care anymore. In the event of finding a kid being bullied, I will step in and stop it. Should the bully then turn on me, he takes his chances, and should he report me I will retaliate through the law with his parents. Its time we all stood up to bullies and claimed the lost ground back again

20

Eve,

Scotland 14/03/2007 17:57:33

Some adalts are buliles!

May be they've always been buillies!!!

21

Marge,

Littleton Colorado 14/03/2007 19:46:07

#1 & #4 you are a cowardly lot and #2-you sir have it all wrong.

Put the bullies on the sideline and let the well behaved children play nice. The mean ones will finally get it.

There is no honor in watching a child be beaten and I will not stand for it.

22

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 20:37:39

#23 Unfortunately you have no idea of the way the law stands in the uk, you have no right of self defence, should you injure someone who attacks you it is quite likely that you will end up in court accused of assault and grevious bodily harm should you manage to turn the tables on your attacker.

The mean ones get it all right, they are untouchable.

Put them on the sidelines (nice idea) it does not work the sidelines as you put it are in charge over here, if you are a minority you have a voice in government far greater than your status, if you are an ordinary person trying to make a living/get by and get on with your life, tough the pc mob are in charge.

Dissillusioned with the world in general, yep thats me.

23

Marge,

littleton colorado 14/03/2007 21:01:15

#24 you are right- I do not know about UK law.
But social change is social change. Instead of the
cell phone used for techno-targeted bullying(calling a code red on a child) they should have the service
host monitor these terrorists who are the real evildoers

24

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 21:11:05

#25 What is calling a code red on a child? please google it and post a link to the web page, any way of sorting this evil out would be appreciated. Never heard of code red please elucidate.

25

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 21:24:28

Analysis, posts 23 and 25 is using a program such as power translator to post in english rather than break forum rules which explains the grammar and syntax. I do not have a problem with this and will do my best to make my replies as clear and concise as possible.

26

Marge,

littleton colorado 14/03/2007 21:31:24

27???what is a power translator, #26 - code red
from the Tom Cruise blockbuster "A Few Good Men"

27

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 21:39:03

Just kidding, been playing with a few programs doing langauge to langauge direct translations, you did flick up as a possible false positive. Main reason i have been doing it is trying to learn venacular spanish, Don't take it the wrong way I'm a geek and system tester.

Btw there is someone on these forums who kicks a fp every time they post, 3 guesses.

28

twowheel loon,

14/03/2007 21:51:52

Note power translator, very useful program which allows tranlation between languages, mirroring of web pages in different languages, can use a dictionary held on your home system or the web based translation server online which is updated daily with new words and syntax. So off topic this deserves to be deleted but I was asked.

29

Yane,

in a barbed wire canoe 15/03/2007 00:51:06

Strange days indeed -- I totally understand where yer coming from in this one Dragonhead. That was also my experience at school -- the bullying abruptly stopped when I fought back. Not Saying it works for everyone & not saying it should be "policy" -- but that was my experience.


 

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