Real life situations - Lindsay's story

When Grade 8 began, 13-year old Lindsay was already having a hard time. Her parents were getting a divorce, and lately she was putting on weight. But at least she had friends, and lately she'd made a new one.

Megan was the new girl at school. Her family was so messed up, she'd been living in a foster home. Megan seemed to know exactly what Lindsay was going through.

Then one day Megan said Lindsay was "really fat" and laughed at her, in front of some other girls, who nervously joined in. Lindsay couldn't believe it. She thought Megan was just kidding around, so she just mumbled something like "yeah, right" and changed the subject.

But Megan kept insulting Lindsay, without warning and when other kids were around. Embarrassing rumours started surfacing about Lindsay and her weight. When they walked home, Megan would "accidentally" push her and then pretend nothing happened.

Lindsay didn't mention it to her parents. They had their own problems to deal with. She tried to just ignore Megan, but it didn't work.

Then one day after school, Megan started in again. She teased Lindsay and shoved her off of the sidewalk as she tried to walk past. Lindsay stopped and turned around. She was so angry she was going to push Megan right back . . . Then suddenly,

"There you are Lindsay! We're all going to my place, let's go!"

Lindsay turned around, trying to hide her surprise. It was Shannon, a girl she didn't know very well, walking with some other friends. Shannon smiled and waved her over. "So, are you coming?"

"Yeah," said Lindsay, surprised and very relieved. "Let's go."

Lindsay glanced casually at Megan. "That was a pretty dumb thing to do." And then she walked away.

In this situation, an ally stepped in and offered Lindsay a way to get out of the bullying situation quickly and without embarrassment. Friends and teachers can often play this role effectively. By identifying their allies and coming up with exit strategies ahead of time, children can often take control and avoid further victimization.

Bullying Prevention and Awareness
Handy E-Kit 2008

Here it is! Toronto's second annual e-kit for the community on Bullying as put out by members of the Toronto Coalition for the Awareness and Prevention of Bullying. Members such as the Red Cross's Beyond the Hurt; Children's Aid Society; Kids Help Phone; Parent Coalition for Safe Schools; TDSB to name a few have joined together with Kid-Safe Productions to produce this fantastic and helpful resource for our Toronto community!

to download your copy of this handy
3 paged E-Kit now...Click here

Canada's National Bullying Awareness Week - Nov. 17th to 23rd

As part of our desire to promote this important event, Kid-Safe Productions is offering a SPECIAL DISCOUNT to all schools that call us during Bullying Awareness week to arrange their winter 2008 booking.

See Complete Details in the Sidebar to the Right -->

"DELETE CYBERBULLYING"

Watch a Short Kid-Safe Productions Video On How to Recognize and Deal With Cyberbullying

Click here to watch video. If you can't see the video on the new page after you click, scroll down to the bottom of the new page. This video is best viewed on the latest version of internet Explorer, Safari or Firefox -