Bullying (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Bullying

11:01am Thursday 28th February 2008

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AS I start to write about my experiences and thoughts around the subject of bullying, I became aware of how complicated and large a topic it is, of how meaningless it sounds written by someone who, not having fully experienced the trials and consequences of having been bullied.

So I asked a few friends who were. I asked them to answer what seemed to me a simple question; I asked them to explain their experiences and to define bullying. But to my surprise they couldn't.

What they kept mentioning, though, was the fear that constantly came with the sight of their tormentors, the fear of the pain inflicted through words, gestures, actions, of the emotional, mental and physical suffering.

With this newfound understanding of the depth of suffering of bulling victims, what I now want to say to you all is that, with bullying, life becomes consistently hard for the victim.

And, without having enough confidence to ask for help, that person suffers on their own - maybe causing them to turn to less ideal solutions, such as even self harm.

Even if the matter is dealt with, what happens to the scars left on the depths of a person's mind? The memories that still haunt them? The thoughts that still sadden them?

Bullying is a process that keep coming back to haunt us unless something should be done.

To the council officials wanting to know how to improve bullying, I urgently suggest to you that you to speak those who have gone through what I feel is the worst kind of torture, in what's supposed to be a safe and educated environment.

Your departure point is to understand the sadness that is felt by a young person who is inclined to feel that he or she has nothing more to live for, and nothing more to offer.