Parents are a key player in identifying bullying, because kids often won't show the signs at school. That's one of the messages in an upcoming school district workshop on what parents can do about bullying.
"(Parents) are more likely to see the signs sometimes at home than anybody else," said Sue Dorey, the school district's manager of youth services. "They have probably the best relationship to look for the signs. Does your child seem down? Does he seem off? Has he had a change in friend groups? That's a window to say: what's going on?"
Dorey is one of three speakers at the free Feb. 29 workshop on bullying. The RCMP will be there, announcing a new program aimed at elementary kids, and the school district's counsellor will also speak.
Dorey said parents should report bullying to the school right away, and the district has a range of responses, depending on the case. For serious cases, the district will conduct an investigation, including statements from victim and the bystanders.
"One of the hardest things with bullying is acceptance of the fact that these kids are struggling, too," Dorey said. "People like to believe the bully and victim are static roles, and they are not. - There was a study done a couple years ago that said (that in) 87 per cent of bullying, people were both victims and bullies."
The workshop is on Wednesday, Feb. 29, (to coincide with Pink Shirt Day) at 7 p.m. at Burnaby Central Secondary. It's free, and there is childminding available, but space is limited, so call 604-664-8338 to register.
