Feeling Safe Stay Safe Newsletter November 2000 issue:
Welcome it is that time again, to update the newsletter, September quarter was missed due to an unexpected trip to the UK on family business. I know that the following article written by Tegan Roberts will have been worth waiting for. I again extend the invitation to all readers to take the opportunity of submitting articles for publication on this site. Co-operation and Collaboration is the value system that is demonstrated and encouraged in the PB Consultancy Network. “Networking in action”.
Dealing with Bullying & Anti-Social Behaviour
Stand Up and Speak Out - Lifeskills Everyone's Right
Many
of us will freely acknowledge that without adjustment and redirection,
anti- social behaviour accelerates and begins to permeate and stain every
aspect of our lives. The impacts upon innocent victims of crime and their
families are well documented in our judicial records, health services,
newspapers and documentaries.
It seems that finally 'bullying' has come of age.
No longer do we accept that bullying is part of the rights of passage of childhood, that 'humiliation and harassment' are tribal rituals performed by developmentally advanced children and acne-challenged youth. This experience does not equip one with the necessary armour to endure the battles of reality, it will instead have the opposite effect. Bullying chips away at one's self identity, damages one's self belief and erodes the self esteem of an individual.
It has come to our attention, through the loss of productivity and increase in harassment complaints, that bullying has not remained inside the school gates.
A Logie winning drama series, this year included 'bullying' into script development, questioning the source of bullying in the school dynamic, presenting the view that perpetrators both teach and learn. The Education Department has issued a brochure outlining how to recognise the signs, strategies to cope and a website for further resources. But is this enough?
Campaign bullying often results in profound long term effects that prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. One could argue, a 'criminal' offence in a society that espouses freedom, equity and an even playing field regardless of sex, culture, ethic heritage or socio-economic status.
Victims of domestic violence well know that bullying behaviour has jumped the school fence and they infact have married it. Those behaviours that succeeded in obtaining the desires and wants in the school yard, fueled with alcohol, unemployment and broken dreams have long been wielded against women and children in the domestic arena.
Reformation is not an easy transformation for those that have and continue to resort to the stand over bullying tactics which have become 'second' nature. For them this method defines a successful style of conflict resolution…They want, they bully, they get.. The carnage of pain and tears are just some of the legacies of anti-social behaviours.
So what is the solution? A community approach in needed to re-educate our society into replacing faulty belief systems with sound future thinking.
A new learning culture is needed. One that reflects policies of a Zero Tolerance to Campaign Bullying as well as a No-Blame First Incident Approach. A school environment that visually and verbally reflects policies and supports children and youth to stand up and speak out without recrimination by clear procedures and social reform support for victims and perpetrators.
A range of workshops is required to assist parents to build effective communication, self esteem and conflict resolution skills to model to their children. Workshops that educate parents and equip them with self protective skills and strategies to teach to their children and youth.
A series of social inservice programs that assist educators and students to build a learning culture that promotes positive self esteem, acceptable peer behaviour, conflict resolution and provides the opportunity to readjust any negative behaviour utilising the school dynamic as a social training field.
Lifeskills offers a creative program delivery approach to deal with the issue of bullying that unites these approaches under one banner -
Stand Up and Speak Out - Lifeskills Everyone's Right
For
further information or a business prospectus, contact
Tegan Roberts
Lifeskills Personal Development Programs70 Federation Street
Mount Hawthorn WA 6016
(08) 9242 4784
0402 438 419
Email - lifeskil@eftel.com.au
I hope you found this issue of our newsletter on line, interesting as parents and workers who may be advising parents…I again welcome submissions of articles relating to the topic of personal or community safety for consideration, with a view to publication on this site, from anyone who may visit this site.
Resource
list]