Bullying Murders

The latest and most tragic case of bullying, one that ended in murder by the bullies who have not been charged,  has me not only angered but remembering a few young students when I taught, and how hard it was to try and control their similar situations. For some reason certain young people are subject to being bullied. One example, was a young chap, although it happens to girls also,  in my school, who was bullied from a very early age. He was typical of many who are subjected to it. He was thinner, delicate in sensitivity and frame, lacked the average behaviours that most his age had in favour of his own ways, dressed unlike the others and seemed almost to participate in his own misery by ways of inviting the others to tease him. He often made fun of himself to amuse them. The other boys jostled him and verbally abused him continuously. They did physical damage that was minor but very insulting. The staff made every effort to stop it by interacting, coaching and teaching and talking about the situation, meeting with the parents and children but it went on and on and became worse when there were no adults around to protect the young fellow. And he had to be on his own some of the time. He suffered this torment right through to the end of his school years in varying degrees, but after, managed to find a profession that was satisfying and rewarding. While then he appeared to have a normal life, he never really forgot about the bullying that tainted him for the rest of his days. I speak to him now and again and feel badly that his life was so affected. It seemed wrong that he spent those years in pain. Now that I am not in the teaching realm, I ponder sadly over boys like him that I knew of and wonder why we couldn't have entirely stopped this dreadful matter that continues today for so many unfortunate children. These youngsters who are targeted by bullies often take on a role and seem to accept it as their given fate. If I had such a vulnerable child, I think I would consider home education or remove the child and find some other source of peace in education for him or her. Parents can't always afford this and here is where the system must take early action to provide for and protect this kind of child who has a right to an education. It is their responsibility to see that these special bullied children receive the attention they require, to remove the child from the danger  and find ways of going ahead with  a suitable educational environment that fits their special needs just as those done for children with other learning difficulties. Bullied children are special needs children also. We need to take immediate action not just go to meetings and take courses. It could save lives.