BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT was a clear-cut lesson, easily understood, and the injection of humour did in no way take away from the critical nature of the topic…Bullying.
The message was delivered by members of the Operation Future team and received by the staff and hundreds of students of the Maurice Hillier Memorial School.
Operation Future was birthed in 2005 with the aim of diminishing crime and its effects by educating primary and secondary school students on the ills of drugs abuse, violence and criminal activity.
The presentation – part of the Operation Future’s stop the bullying campaign - was held in the Old Boy School building, Victoria Road and it encompassed an intriguing blend of comedy, demonstrations, questions and answers as well as a PowerPoint presentation.
How can one tell when someone is being bullied? What to do when someone is being bullied? How can one identify a bully? These three basic questions were addressed and ventilated during the interactive presentation.
Founder of Operation Future Constable Lauston Percival – though dealing with a complex issue – was successful at tailoring his presentation to suit his impressionable audience.
He told them that school is a place of learning, a place where friendships are forged, a place where the scene for life is set and a place where best practices should be encouraged.
He said if bullying - aggressive behaviour which is intended to cause harm or distress or to humiliate – is allowed, the results could have far-reaching individual and societal effects.
After highlighting the two types of bullying - direct and indirect - Percival suggested to the students that everyone is affected by bullying and the intended victim is likely to:
• Suffer loss of esteem, which can lead to depression which can in turn, lead to suicide;
• Lash back by exacting revenge on the aggressor and others;
• Have constant memories of bullying which can follow them into adulthood; and
• Suffer through trauma because of the words or actions of others.
One of the all-important messages that was relayed to the students is to always “be assertive, not aggressive”. He explained to the students that should they witness someone being bullied, they must take action by making a report to someone in authority, or – if possible – stop the persons from bullying.
He noted however, that persons witnessing bullying should never engage in violence or become bullies themselves.
The students and teachers were introduced to one of Operation Future’s services - the anti-bullying email address.
They were told in the event that they should witness bullying, they are free to send an email to the group through stopbullying@sknoperationfuture.com outlining what they saw, and assistance would be provided.
Members of the team who were also present and assisted with the presentation were Woman Police Officer Myrtle Nicholas and Dan MacMullin.
