The Society since its ancient times has never being void of violence against kids. This is a key indication of moral and social decay in our society. It has become a common vernacular art across the globe.
Over the years, children have been abused but it was so hard keeping records and statistic until in the early2000s.
Violence against kids including bullying targeted towards children under 18 years old, whether perpetrated by teachers, classmates, friends, neighbours , siblings etc results in a lifelong impacts on health and well-being of children, families, communities, and nation at large.
This may take many forms including physical, and emotional abuse, and may involve neglect or deprivation.
Bullying (including cyber-bullying) is an unwanted aggressive behaviour by another child or group of children who are neither siblings nor in a romantic relationship with the victim. It involves repeated physical, psychological, or social harm, and often takes place in schools and other settings where children gather, and online.
In Nigeria, It was found that 78% of the children have been victims of bullying on at least one occasion and 71% have lashed out at others at least once. However, more boys than girls were found to be both bullies and victims .
In Oct. 4, 1862, the first report of death resulting from bullying included a 12 year old who died from “bullying behaviour” at Kings School in Canterbury, United Kingdom. By the end of the 1980s the meaning of bullying continues to evolve to include direct verbal harassment on victims who seem emotionally and physically weak.
A Research on kids revealed that over
- 44 percent said they were called names.
- 43 percent said they were teased.
- 36 percent said a bully spread rumours or lies about them.
- 32 percent said they were pushed or shoved.
- 29 percent said they were hit, slapped, or kicked.
- 29 percent said they were left out.
- 27 percent said they were threatened.
- 27 percent said a bully stole their belongings.
- 24 percent said a bully made sexual comments or gestures.
- 10 percent said they were bullied online.
To every social development, bullies have always been a part; evolving with civilization till the modern day. It has consistently harmed or injured the living being who tries to avoid it within his capacity or her capacity.
The Systematic abuse of power is an intentional way of making kids feel less important in the society, creating room for abuse and a culture for fear.
Is there a possible Reason?
Sometimes, bullying is the product of peer pressure or a sense of entitlement. Other times, it is a reaction to having been a victim of bullying. Other times, violence in kids may have resulted in some children inability to control impulses or manage anger.
According to Statistics
- 29 percent are bullied in the classroom.
- 29 percent are bullied in the hallway or at their lockers.
- 23 percent are bullied in the cafeteria.
- 29 percent are bullied in physical education classes.
- 12 percent are bullied in the bathroom.
- 6 percent are bullied on the playground.
This simply indicates that violence in children in prevalent in the academic environment. Over 82 percent of victims have suffered this emotional pain during their academic lives.
How has this affected children around the world?
Kids who have been exposed to bullies experience negative physical, social, emotional, academic, and mental health issues.
Many Victims of this have more likely experienced:
- Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.
- Health complaints
- Decreased academic achievement—GPA and standardized test scores—and school participation. They are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.
- Suicide: Most often, anxiety and depression from bully can lead to the suicidal thoughts and possibly suicide.
Ryan Halligan was a 13 year old boy, bullied so relentlessly at school,that he finally learned kickboxing to defend himself from the physical assaults. But when the attacks moved online, he had no way to fight back, and no refuge. October 2003, Ryan hanged himself in his family’s bathroom.
- Low Self Esteem
- Emotional Breakdown and Anger
- Unconscious addiction to alcohol and drugs
In January 2006, a law was passed, making it a federal crime to “annoy, abuse, threaten or harass” another person over the internet.
Roost Foundation in collaboration with Dame Julie Donli are credibly creating massive awareness campaigns on violence against kids, finding and developing tangible answers to the questions of
How Can Violence to kids be paid attention to?
How Can kids deal with Bully?
How can It be Curbed in the society?
Several Awareness can be put together to prevent violence against kids especially in this 21st century.
Amongst several ways include:
Finding the root cause, developing logical consequence, enforcing anti-bully conduct code for learners, understanding the emotional makeup of children, addressing violence in different environment etc.
