Bullying now a critical focus for child welfare

According to the assistant director of Boksburg Child Welfare, Vanessa Naidoo-Pillay, incidents of bullying have increased in Boksburg, particularly in Reiger Park and Vosloorus.Boksburg Child Welfare’s most newly-generated focus in terms of child abuse is bullying.

These have come to light through teachers tipping social workers from child welfare off and by parents seeking help because they’ve noticed drastic behavioural changes in their child.

• Schools

“At this stage we are focused on the primary schools, but there is definitely a need to move into the high schools too, which we will do next year with a more intensive education programme,” said Naidoo-Pillay.

“We have auxiliary social workers and social workers going to schools to deliver educational programmes and to work with the victims and perpetrators of bullying.”

She said the organisation realised the urgency of this bullying intervention due to the national increase in serious bullying cases.

The technological era children are growing up in today has added a new dynamic to bullying,” she added.

“Bullying has always been around, but it is so much worse today and much of it is cyberbullying. Kids aren’t just suffering physical bruises from bullies today, they are actually taking their own lives – even children as young as six – due to the mental impact bullying can have and this is very concerning.”

• Signs

Parents will also be targeted as part of this focused campaign.

“It is astounding how many parents aren’t even aware that their child is being bullied; they never saw the signs,” Naidoo-Pillay said.

These signs can include behaviours like becoming withdrawn, disrespecting parents, losing interest in social activities and grades suddenly dropping at school.

“We are asked to intervene because the child is suddenly displaying behavioural problems and when we work with the child and gain their trust, the truth comes out – they are being bullied.”

The violent environment in which South Africa children are growing up isn’t helping things at all, she added.

“Violence has become the norm for South Africans. We’re all exposed to it on a daily basis. Children who are exposed to domestic violence or abuse at home are likely to manifest the same behaviour on ‘weaker’ children at school. This is not unusual.”

• Onus to change

It is Naidoo-Pillay’s view that the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, a campaign which takes place across the world from November 25 to December 10 each year, needs to be embraced by one and all and its intentions carried through by everyone, including perpetrators.

“The onus to change the scourge of violence against women and children lies with each of us.

“While the 16 Days campaign is commendable, it is unfortunate that during this period often the most horrific of abuse cases surface. It just doesn’t appear to be making headway in South Africa and this is very worrying – the message is not being absorbed and acted on,” said Naidoo-Pillay.

She concluded that child welfare, as an anti-child abuse unit, conducts programmes throughout the year in an attempt to combat the growing instances of women and child abuse.

For assistance with any aspects of bullying contact Boksburg Child Welfare on 011 039 4679 or nesnaidoo@yahoo.com