Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to use my Member’s statement today to talk about bullying. First of all let me say how happy I am that this much attention is being drawn to this very important topic. It occurs, as Ms. Bisaro said, in many forms and in many places. We most often think of it in the context of children, though, because hopefully, you know, we think that when people grow up they might stop acting out in a way that’s inappropriate. But on that matter, we, as legislators, have to do our part to put in place policies and regulations and legislation to back up the anti-bullying efforts of our constituents to ensure that the seriousness of bullying and its effects receives the attention that it deserves and, as Mr. Dolynny so aptly shared with us today, some of the long-term effects that bullying can have on people, and I have absolutely no doubt that those findings that he cited were absolutely true.
Very importantly, parents and family have a very strong role to play in not only stopping bullying but supporting a member of their family, a child in their family who is being bullied. I think that a lot of times parents have come to me as an MLA in utter frustration and despair over their children being bullied and not knowing how far they should go to intervene because they don’t want the situation to get worse. I know it’s very, very difficult for teachers too. It’s difficult for everybody, but we do have to take action. We cannot stand by and allow it to continue.
Strong families, a place where a child and an individual knows that they have unconditional acceptance and love goes a long ways to diminish the effect of what the schoolyard bullies and the classroom bullies do. I believe that and I certainly found that to be true in our family. It’s like the old adage, you know, siblings fight amongst themselves but when somebody is bullying your brother or your sister, well, then you’re all right there together. That family protection and sanctuary and closeness is something that I think parents need to be aware of. Also, I think that when I’ve heard parents sharing their frustration, I really feel for them. It is a very difficult thing to deal with when your child is being bullied. But I think that parents need to take the opportunity, as well, to make some extra time and become the friend, maybe, that their child needs at that time.
I’d like to pay my respects to this group here. This is the generation that will change our society’s attitude towards bullying. Congratulations to them.
