BULLYING MUST NOT BE TOLERATED

At the time of writing, students across the country have been celebrating their success and, in some cases licking their wounds, as they nervously obtain their examination results. For many it will spell the advent of a new stage in their life, as they gain the grades required to begin realising their dream, or are prompted to change direction, which can sometimes be a good thing. Personally, I have always embraced change, believing that even when things do not go according to plan I can learn from the experience; at the last count I was on my fifth career and still going strong. As we become older and more experienced, with the appropriate support of course, most of us are able gain the skills necessary to dodge the brickbats that life throws at us.

As a Samaritan though, I am all too aware that as we progress through life there are often significant challenges to be faced. Distressingly, I know that in the coming weeks and months when I am on Samaritans duty with my colleagues that the number of calls from young people in distress will increase.

At this particular time of year there are many young people for whom change will be a welcome release, as they move to a new school perhaps, onto university or into employment. For many though such change will bring about a high level of apprehension in relation to the new environment. Much has been written about bullying in our schools, colleges and the workplace recently, and all are now required to have policies in place, but it is not as simple as that. For young people especially, bullying, in all its forms, can be devastating in its relentless pursuit of a weak point in their armour; whether it is through physical abuse, name calling, trolling on social media, or being excluded in some way. For those of us who are responsible for the welfare of young and vulnerable people it is vital that we are vigilant in spotting the signs that the effects of bullying can have on them, either through a change in behaviour or an unwillingness to participate and engage in some way. It can be difficult to take action because of the the reluctance to come forward and the fear of repercussions, but it is not something that should be tolerated on any level, by anyone. We have a duty of care to hold those responsible for the care of our youngsters to account when it comes to this vile practice.