My Mission Monday

Shining a Light on Bullying

by Ella Robinson

Practically every student, at some time during his or her school years, will experience bullying either as a target or as a witness. Exposure to this intentionally aggressive behavior negatively influences a child’s social development. The person being bullied often experiences low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. On the other hand, the person doing the bullying is at a high risk for developing violent, delinquent, and criminal behaviors.

There are several ways you can help combat this negative behavior and its consequences. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Sponsor an Information Forum for parents in your church.

Although they may have experienced it themselves, parents and other adults often give poor advice to children when discussing incidences of bullying. Consider sponsoring a forum where parents and other adults in your church can learn the best ways to help children with the issues of bullying.

Decide on information you will present and guest speakers you could invite, and then talk with your pastor and church staff about your ideas. Be prepared to suggest a date and time for the event, and have a list of materials, supplies, refreshments, and so forth that you would like to provide for participants. If your idea is approved, work closely with professionals in your community, including educators, counselors, physicians, and law enforcement personnel to develop a meaningful forum.

Begin a Shine a Light on Bullies campaign for children in your church.

Bullies thrive in the dark; bring them out into the light and they disappear. Many victims of bullying are embarrassed and scared to tell anyone about what they are experiencing. The more they keep quiet about their encounters with the bully, the stronger the bully becomes. The point of this campaign is to empower students to face bullies with courage and love.

Include in your campaign a series of posters and/or bulletin boards, skits, and round table discussions related to the issue of bullying. Research the topic well, and do not promote risky behavior. However, reassure victims of bullying that they are people of worth, and episodes of bullying are not their fault. And, just as important, help them to understand that even though the bully is behaving badly, that bully is a child of God.

Focus on the bully.

Some children bully without even realizing what they are doing. They may be lashing out at others because of negative situations in their own lives. Work with the principal and teachers at a local school to develop a plan for talking with children who are bullying. Set up a time when you can meet individually with a child who is bullying.

Help the child understand what bullying means, and then develop a plan to increase the student’s self-esteem so that he or she will not feel the need to bully. Invite the child to participate in fun activities at your church and help him or her make friends.

Create anti-bullying resources.

Studies indicate that schools with high incidences of bullying are perceived to be unsafe. Work with a local school to prevent or turn around this perception. Involve your pastor, church staff, and the school’s principal and teachers in your plan for creating anti-bullying resources such as an anti-bullying telephone helpline, an anti-bullying Web site, and a bully box (a secure, locked box where students can place anonymous notes to alert the school staff about bullying episodes).

When these resources are in place, help the school inform students about the available resources and how to use them properly.

Learn more about bullying and find ideas for planning your ministry event at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Bullying Prevention Campaign Web site at stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov.

Ella Robinson lives in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, where she and her two cats participate in the sport of bird watching from the living room window.

My Mission for the Week!

Make sure your children or grandchildren's school has a program in place to prevent bullying in the schools. Teach your children how to turn to God when they feel as thought they have no where else to turn. Remind them that many great men and women of the bible were bullied for their convictions.