Bullying

There has been a lot of  recent coverage on bullying within our Toronto schools.  How is this possible when the schools are boasting on a no tolerance policy?  What are the plans that the schools have in place in order to discipline those who are doing the bullying?  What action is being done to help the victims?

"Bullying is defined as taking unfair advantage of the weak.  The tendency for some children to frequently oppress, harass or intimidate other children verbally, physically or both in and out of school." (http://www.readersdigest.ca/ to find out more) 
One of the most severe cases that has been documented, is the murder of Reena Virk in 1997.  A 14 year old, Vancouver high school student who was badly beaten, then eventually drowned by a group of her peers.  (you can follow her tragic story on http://www.cbc.ca/)  What makes her story so shocking is that her attackers were mainly girls.  Although statistics still support that bullying remains more common amongst boys than girls, this story has come to be one of the exceptions.
More recent cases reported in the Toronto Sun's front page both on Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14, 2010.  Both cases are as sickening as the other.
William Lau, a 7year old boy with cerebral palsy, has been verbally and physically assaulted by an older boy at his school.    Lau's father has opted to keep the boy home from school for his protection and is now threatened with legal action to return his son to school.  The school's punishment for the "bully" was to give him detention. (story reported in the Toronto sun on Monday December 13, by Kevin Connor.)
The featured article on Tuesday December 14 by Chris Doucette, has raised some controversy.  Julian Atkinson, a four year old elementary student has been pushed on numerous occasions causing his lip to split open, he has had rocks put down his pants, was bitten through his winter jacket hard enough that the teeth pierced the skin leaving marks on the young boy.  This is a sensitive matter as the boys are very young, (both the same age).  The school's way of dealing with the issue was to move young Atkinson classes (to separate the two boys).  After reading some of the blog remarks boasted on the Doucette's article of the story, I was rather taken by the controversy surrounding this case.  Some comments suggested that this is some sort of publicity stunt on the mother's part. In my opinion, it shows the mother's frustration to her voice not being heard, and her way of protecting her son the best way she knows how.  As previously mentioned it's a sensitive case (which is why I did not quote the whole article directly using the terms "bully" or "victim"), the police can not press charges as the boy falls under the age of 12.  The school can only take so much action against the young boy, as at this age children do not comprehend what detention or suspension is.
That does not mean that no action should be taken at all.  There should be a comprehensive look into the boys behaviors, a social worker or child psychologist should be contacted.  Simply separating the two boys from the class is not enough.
"Schools are equipped for funding for these types of situations.  The province of Ontario has spent $230 million dollars since 2004 trying to resolve the issue." (Kim Zarzour, youkregion.com)  Most schools do not even use all the funding they are provided for the safe school team.  There still seems to be a lack of method to ensure that the schools are complying with the Act and if the plan against bullying in schools is working.
Zero tolerance should mean zero, if schools claim that the Act is being enforced to the fullest, then how are there still so many cases?  In a report done by the University of Guelph, approximately 45% of children between the ages of 11 to 16 still do not feel safe going to school.  There are many studies, of different measures all showing high statistics, too long to list here, but you get the general idea.  Bottom line, most of our children are scared to go to school due to bullying. 

Preview at posts to follow: the psychological and physical effects to child bullying.  Taking steps to prevent your child from being bullied, or being the bullier (I do apologize in advance to use that term.  I don't think that a child who "picks" on another is bad or rotten.  It is my strong opinion that those children are just as much a victim and I will present why in further posts)
A personal note about me, I do have a child psychology degree.  Thus the blog post will reflect both personal and professional opinions.
Also just a note my blog postings are opinions in lieu of acquiring others opinions and suggestions.