Bullying could lead to lifelong trauma: Expert in UAE

Bullying is an alarming trend that has to stop, authorities have reiterated in a recent lecture in Abu Dhabi. And everyone in the community - from families to schools and the media - has a role to play in putting an end to it, they said.

Dr Saif Rashid Al Jabri, a member of the Association for the Awareness and Care of Juveniles, said: "Protecting children against violence, bullying (physical or verbal) and other bad behaviour, is one of the most important things where public awareness is required."

The threats posed by bullying can be prevented if all bodies concerned will cooperate and spread awareness about how such a behaviour harms kids, he stressed.

An Abu Dhabi psychiatrist said bullying has a long-term effect on a child depending on age, and the impact affects both the victim and the bully.

"Children who are bullied by fellow students in school are sometimes too scared to report the incident to parents or teachers. It becomes even dangerous when parents or teachers are left unaware," he said.

The traumatic effects caused by such attacks can last for a long time and even become a "permanent disability", he added.

The doctor said it may lead to depression, hopelessness and, in some cases, even suicide.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Police in coordination with the Office of Council Affairs at the Crown Prince's Court, the lecture tackled how bullying takes place in schools, why it happens and how it can be curbed.

Dr Al Jabri noted that bullying needs to be addressed by everyone, including teachers, parents and members of the community.

"The main problem is that children often don't recognise when they are being bullied. It's important for teachers and parents to educate children on the issue," he said.

Parents, for example, have to maintain a good relationship with kids, encouraging them to share what's happening in school and if there's anything bothering them.

Such open dialogues would allow families to take action at the first sign of bullying, whether it's within or outside school. Children have been advised to speak up and tell their teachers or parents if they experience any form of bullying, be it verbal, psychological or online.

Through the years, authorities - including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education - have introduced several programmes to help kids and teachers recognise and prevent bullying.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com