Workshop explores impact of bullying

Withdrawal, avoidance of school or social events and displays of aggression or distress after being online are just some of the warning signs that a child is being bullied.

This is according to Advocate Lizelle Africa, the deputy director of the National Prosecuting Authority’s sexual offences and community affairs unit, who spoke at an anti-bullying workshop, in the Silo District, on Wednesday September 18.

Bullying was hurtful, teasing or threatening behaviour that exerted power over others; it could be sexual, verbal, physical, emotional, social and cyber in nature, and its impact could be devastating for a child, she said.

“Anyone can bully anyone and we all can be a victim of bulling.”

Community leaders, sport coaches, teachers, parents and school pupils attended the workshop, which was organised by The Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace, and Ms Africa urged them to reach out to children who showed signs of being bullied, and report offences.

“Don't let us neglect our contribution to protecting a child,” she said.

Another speaker, Adrie Jurgensen, said every child needed “a place to breathe”, and, for many, it was their school, a sport or community facility.

Working with 1000 Women 1 Voice, an advocacy group fighting sexual violence, and Badisa, a social development organisation, she has created Max and Me, an initiative that helps children explore their emotions using a bulldog character called Max. More information about it can be found at at www.maxandme.online.

EMILE YX?, the creative director of the Heal the Hood Project, which uses hip hop to help marginalised communities, encouraged those at the workshop to set good examples because children learnt from what they saw.