Stalking Fightback

Some measures employed to regain initiative:

Check state stalking laws

Contact law enforcement

Contact student authorities

Keep log of incidents with times, dates, events

Obtain professional assistance - Global Asset/red24, advocacy group, college or school authorities

Retain any possible evidence

Save emails, phone messages, photographs

Communicate with friends and family and obtain their assistance in detailing contacts

Discuss legal initiatives open to you

Further protective measures:

Exercise particular care with disposal of personal papers

Maintain personal documents in safety deposit box

Consider getting a dog if practical

When driving vary routes

Vary your daily routine

Have a third party record your outgoing phone message

Screen all calls

DO NOT ENGAGE SUSPECT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

 

What is Bullying?

Bullying takes many forms. In some cases a child may not even realize that he is being bullied. Bullying can appear to start at random - for example, if one child decides that another is annoying - but it can also be more specific, perhaps because a friendship has broken down. Some bullying can be racially motivated, and this can often be detected by the language used. Other bullying may be sexual and may include molestation.

Bullying Methods

Emotional manipulation: A bully may ignore what the victim says, laugh at his mistakes, steal his bag or exclude him from a group

Verbal abuse: A bully may persistently tease, call names, make nasty comments and spread rumors about the victim

Physical abuse: A bully may inflict bodily harm upon his victim, including causing bruising, cutting him or pulling his hair

If you suspect that your child is being bullied, look out for the following indications:

A sudden refusal to go to school

More than the usual cuts and bruises

Torn clothing and missing possessions

Becoming moody and withdrawn

Struggling with school work

Anxiety

What you can do to help

Initially you should provide good opportunities to talk to your children about their day at school. If one of your children tells you of an incident, no matter how minor, stay calm and be positive

Reassure your child that he was right to tell you about bullying and, most importantly, let him know that the incident was not his fault

Inform the school immediately. Ask the teachers or the school counselor for advice, and request that an official incident is registered. Many schools have bullying intervention programs in place, but if there aren't any at your child's school, contact the staff and discuss the introduction of techniques such as class discussions or peer counseling

Find out from your child where the bullying is taking place (eg. in the bathrooms, on the schoolyard, etc), so that a teacher can watch for bullying in these areas and catch the culprits red handed. In this way, your child cannot be accused of telling

If the bullying continues, and you are not happy with the school's response, make official, written complaints, first to the headmaster and then to the school board. It will help if you keep a record of the dates of all incidents. If the bullying persists, or if your child is physically or sexually assaulted, report it to law enforcement.