FOR THE CHILDREN...Putting a Stop to Schoolyard Abuse
     
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Welcome To THE PLAYGROUND JUSTICE homepage
This true life story is based on an actual case in the town of Lincoln Rhode Island, that ended up going all the way to U.S. Federal District court. It also turned out to be not only a land mark case, but the largest settlement for this age group in the nations's history.  Mandi was not only a victim of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse, she was also sexually assaulted by other school mates.
This book is currently available at http://www.bn.com,  www.bamm.com,  and www.amazon.com, and also at all major bookstores nation wide.  CLICK ON THE IMAGE OF THE BOOK TO PURCHASE IT DIRECTLY FROM PUBLISH AMERICA.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD IS BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL?
Oftentimes, children feel embarrassed or even profoundly ashame to admit that a bully is picking on them at school. Therefore, they might not confess about what might be happening to them. Not right away, anyway. However, you can investigate for yourself and, through careful observation, see a few tell-tale signs that might mean your child is being victimized by a bully. Things to look out for include:
Changes to usual travel routines
Reluctance to travel to school alone
Excuses to avoid school; tummy aches, headaches, etc.
Standards of school work declining
Crying before sleep
Stammering
Nightmares
Starting to steal
Unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches
WHAT TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN IF THEY ARE BEING BULLIED:
One of the first steps in helping your child cope with bullying is bolstering their self-esteem. To do that, here are some things to tell a child if you believe that he or she is being bullied:

That they have the right to NOT be bullied.
That it is not their fault if their are bullied.
That they should not have to face this on their own and that they can confide in you.
That they should not try to tackle bullies on their own.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED:
What should your child do if they are being bullied? The answer is not clear cut, as every case of bullying, just like every other crime, is unique to both the bully and his victim. However, here are a few guidelines to help your child when and if they are bullied on school grounds:

Your child must remain calm and not act scared. They should try not to show that they are upsetor angry because bullies love to get a reaction. If your child stays calm and hides their emotions, bullies might get bored and leave them alone.

Your child should answer bullies firmly in short sentences such as, "Yes. No. Leave me alone." They mustn't start a discussion or argue with bullies to provoke them.

Remember to tell your child that violence never solves anything. Your child must avoid fighting. Should they feel threatened, they should give the bullies what they want. Remind them that personal property is not worth an injury.

Your child must then observe the bullies carefully and remember as much information as possible: height, age, hair color, clothes, etc.

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN BULLIED:
If your child has been bullied, it is important that they tell someone as soon as possible; their parents, a teacher, a counselor, the principal, or at the very leasat a friend. When a child becomes a victim of bullying, it is normal to feel upset and afraid, not to mention being embarrassed to talk about it.

Your child has one of two choices: not to talk about it and risk that the situation gets worse, or to talk about it with someone they trust, either their parents, a teacher, a brother or sister, or even with a friend. Remember to tell them to talk about it. By talking, the child will begin to feel better.
Offer them your help. Ask them to talk about it. If they refuse to talk and you detect that someting just isn't right, communicate with:
An educator at school if the aggression has taken place there.
A coach or supervisor if you think the aggression is taking place during a sport or leisure activity
The bully's parents or any witness if the aggression is taking place in an unsupervised area such as the park or a playground
By regularly exchanging information relating to your child's relationships with others (students, school educators, friends, etc.) your child will feel that they can trust you and will tell you about the things they are dealing with.

WHAT EXACTLY IS BULLYING?
Children's safety is often one of parents' mail concerns. Parents today hope that their children are safe at home, at school and at the playground. Despite the best precautions, there are rare cases in which your child could be a victim of bullying. The following recommendations may help your child if he or she is being bullied, or prevent your child from ever becoming a victim to bullies. These recommendations will also give you tips to detect if your child is being bullied and will suggest basic behaviors that can help your child.

WHAT IS BULLYING? If a youth or a gang at school steals goods or money from your child, is insulting or shows contempt, threatens or hits your child, or forces him to do things against his will, then it's called bullying. These incidents used to be rare, but are becoming more and more common as overburdened schools become more and more lax in their discipline policies, and your child could become a victim.
 
   
 

"I just want the bullying to stop. That is all I ever wanted. I used to love going to school. Now I hate it." ~Anonymous victim of schoolyard bullying