Amanda Say_No_to_bullying

Our family has a personal link to serious bullying and the consequences that come from it, from multiple bullying issues, this being the first time we faced it. 

*** Warning - please note: 

  I have shared some details of the bullying below, nothing graphic but still horrifying & may be sensitive for some *** 

 My youngest daughter - whilst aged just 5 years old - in prep at school - was bullied & called vile names due to her beautiful chocolate brown skin - and because parents had not taught their children how to be accepting of others & their differences! My daughter was bullied verbally first, with nasty names & also references to excrement, then the bullying turned physical. My daughter, weighing just 14.5 kg's, had her face hit into a tree trunk multiple times, & a large timber building block banged into her head & forehead - resulting in a swollen little face, with bruised eye, a swollen face, and damaged/cracked eye socket & nose. The damage was confirmed by emergency services, after we arrived at the close by school for pickup & found the state she was in - the teacher attempted to say she had not noticed anything & was not on at lunch time, the office when we went there had no idea as no one had informed them or sent my daughter to them or even called them, & no one had contacted us. 

The sister of this same bully, also decided to join in the bullying - to my other slightly older daughter, (aged 10) after she tried to defend her little sister, so this bully sister gathered some of her friends & they proceeded to also verbally & physically bully my second daughter, who has fairer skin, name call (including N**** lover & other vile names), & ended with them chasing her into a tree, then while she was terrified, pushing her straight out of the tree, causing her leg to split from the kneecap to the ankle. This also was found after the fact with no staff noticing & no contact made to us. 

The bruising & swelling to my youngest daughter were so bad that 3 weeks later, her much needed next heart surgery was almost cancelled due to the remaining damage & bruising. It was only by the Grace of God, a long-detailed discussion amongst specialists while we waited anxiously for 3 hours & the urgent lifesaving need, was her surgery able to proceed, but with caution. 

My oldest was left with a scar that stretches from the ankle, up the calf to her knee. 

The emotional & inner scars are the very worst ones of all. 

Despite evidence & long formal complaints & calls for action & consequences, from multiple family members in multiple states, the responsible parties & their family were never held accountable & faced absolutely no consequences at all. The school in question (on the Gold Coast, Qld) refused at any stage to be held responsible for their lack of care for my children, lack of attention & care for children that were their responsibility at the time and no apology was ever received. Suffice to say, of course my children were removed from this school immediately. 

Sadly, this was not the only bullying journeys/horrors that our family has been through! 

Why is bullying accepted so readily in society? Bullying of any form, a little or a lot, is too much!  

Why is bullying spoken about & accepted in general, schools saying they take it seriously but in reality, some choose not to give consequences or hold the bully - or their families - accountable? 

Why is it ok that some places say all the right things but then when bullying actually happens, it's too hard so it gets pushed aside, ignored and/or justified. 

When will we as a society stand up for our children and say enough is enough? 

We need to teach our kids it is ok to admit to being bullied, that there is no shame in it! 

We need our kids to feel safe & supported so they can feel they can safely come to us if & when they are being bullied & know something will be done! 

We need our kids to know there are options - and there is help! 

1 life lost is 1 too many! 

1 person bullied is 1 person too many! 

Bullying is not ok, it is not normal, should not be referred to as a normal part of school. It does not matter if bullying has been around for years - it does not actually make it ok or right! 

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Thankyou everyone