Whether we like it or not, bullying takes place everywhere in the world. It does not matter where you live or go to school; you might have witnessed, caused or been the victim of bullying.
Such harassment can take many forms, such as hitting (physical); teasing/ insulting (verbal); social exclusion (emotional); and sending insulting messages through online mediums (cyber).
One of the reasons Girl Pow-R’s “The Signs” was written, was that it is response to the increase in the number of children being victimized across communities in Canada. Addressing self-esteem issues and telling kids and teens to stand up for themselves, “The Signs” is a go-to song for anyone suffering from bullying.
Here are three facts about bullying:
Fact 1: Fighting back may make things worse.
In some cases, encouraging the victim to fight back can worsen the situation. Often, fighting back prolongs the problem and results in the bully engaging in more severe punitive actions against the bullied.
Solution: Children should be encouraged to be assertive, not aggressive, and to tell a trusted adult about what has happened to them.
Fact 2: Bullying does not end in childhood
If left unchecked, many children will continue to bully as they move through adolescence and into adulthood.
Solution: Early identification and intervention will prevent patterns of aggressive interactions from forming.
Fact 3: Not much is being done to protect Canadian youth
According to World Health Organization, Canada ranked 26th and 27th out of 35 countries in preventing bullying and victimization.
Solution: Institutions and the government must set up initiatives to stop the harassment of children by their peers in Canada and to promote safe and healthy relationships for all Canadian children and youth.
The first verse in “The Signs” begins with the words: “Can’t go through the pain, pretending’s just a shame.” Often, bullied children remain quiet, convincing themselves they deserve the abuse. These kids are often scared to keep the pain bottled inside.
Thankfully, many things can be done when being bullied:
- Tell a trusted adult. Parents, teachers, or coaches can deal with bullying without the bully knowing how the adult found out. (If you are being bullied, have you bullied anyone or watched others get bullied? You can get help here at PREVNet!)
- Walk away. Bullies enjoy getting a reaction. “The Signs” warns against reacting to bullies: “Don’t wanna play your game, no stranger, not today.” If you walk away or ignore them, you show that you do not care.
- Avoid getting physical. In some cases, you should not fight a bully since you may get hurt or in trouble.
- Try to dialogue with the bully. Explain that their behaviour is severe and hurtful.
- Talk about it. Discussing the problem with a guidance counsellor, teacher, or friend may help you better manage the situation.
- Get your friends. If you are being bullied, tell your friends so that they can help you feel safe and secure. Ensure you always have a friend with you in school or in public to provide moral support.
- Stand up for anyone being bullied. Speaking up and protecting the victim will help them feel supported and may stop the bullying.
On the other hand, some people bully to deal with stress, anger, or frustration. The first verse of “The Signs” highlights a situation: “What a way to destroy, I hope you fill your void.” Many times, bullies might also have been victims themselves and lash out by bullying someone else.
If you have bullied someone:
- Talk to a trusted adult about why you bully others. Seek advice and guidance to help you stop bullying other kids.
- Put yourself in the position of the victim and imagine how bad you would feel if you were a victim of bullying.
Being bullied is a horrible experience for the victims. Adults often ignore this situation, considering it a mere controversy or misunderstanding among friends. This lack of understanding impedes the prevention of bullying among kids.
Understanding the child’s physical, mental & emotional pain will help create proactive approaches to resolving the issues pertaining to bullying.
We hope this article raises awareness about the victimization of kids by their peers and how it affects kids and teens daily. As youth and members of the Girl Pow-R band, we are proud that we have the opportunity to promote the prevention and awareness of bullying through music.
We hope that you will use the information and resources provided and that it can help end the activities of bullies in our communities.
Girl Pow-R is a pop-rock group of girls between ages 11 and 16. The band’s goal is to inspire others through their music to be the best version of themselves and make the world a better place.
Learn more about Girl Pow-R by visiting their website here. Also, head to YouTube to watch the band’s music videos.