Bullying in Schools
What is bullying, and who bullies?
Bullies are people who hurt the same person or group of people – physically, psychologically or emotionally – again and again. The effects of being bullied can spread into all aspects of someone’s life, affecting their behaviour and even inhibiting their ability to learn. Loss of self-confidence may reduce a person’s capacity to communicate what is happening to them and consequently impair their chances of receiving help.
Bullying can be subtle and difficult to recognize. It may be physical; but exclusion, the spreading of rumours, and cyberbullying are also – if not more – common. Whatever form it takes, bullying creates hurt that is real and deeply felt, with potentially serious consequences if allowed to continue. Letting it pass unnoticed implies that bullying is tolerated, thereby encouraging its proliferation. Failure to oppose it normalizes bullying, with everyone feeling increasingly powerless to stop it.
Happy people are not bullies, and bullies are not happy people. Bullying does not lead to feelings of genuine fulfillment; just short-term, misguided gratification. Eradicating bullying relieves not only its victims, but creates a more caring and supportive environment that is more conducive to the rehabilitation of the bullies themselves – a positive situation for everyone.
Getting the message out there
Raising consciousness around bullying is a fundamental element in its combat. Everyone at school has a part to play in maintaining a healthy, happy school community in which all members feel valued – and this starts by generating awareness. Get the message out there: bullying has no place in your school!
Consciousness-raising not only helps your students identify bullying and gain awareness of their rights and resources; it demonstrates to your community that you care about student wellbeing, whilst also making a strong positive statement about your school’s stance on bullying to the wider community.
aquaBUBBLER’s Anti-Bullying Campaign
We have designed our Water Bottle Refill Station with generous provision for publicity, with community messages in mind.
A highly visible school asset, and the actual site at which students pause in their activities to rehydrate, your aquaBUBBLER is the perfect canvas to carry the anti-bullying message. What’s more, located on the aquaBUBBLER, your message is associated with a fundamental, life-affirming and pleasurable activity: drinking water!
Be part of aquaBUBBLER’s Anti-Bullying Campaign and get your printed anti-bullying Graphics FREE with each Water Bottle Refill Station purchased before 31th August 2015.
