In schools worldwide, bullying remains a pervasive issue, leaving many children feeling isolated and unheard. When 12-year-old Emma Thornton, a student at Riverbend High School in Queensland, found that her pleas for assistance were falling on deaf ears, she courageously initiated an online petition to urge school authorities to address her bullying predicament.
Emma, who collaborated with her mother on the petition, shared her emotional turmoil, illustrating the severe impact of bullying on her daily life. “I feel like the most disliked student at school, and my peers make my existence unbearable,” she stated in her heartfelt appeal. “Every day, I’m bombarded with insults like ‘fatty,’ ‘weirdo,’ and ‘ugly,’ and some even tell me that I should end my life.”
The harassment, as Emma described, is relentless and often comes from students she doesn’t even recognize. “I’ve been shoved to the ground, had my belongings rummaged through, and my scooter damaged while riding to school,” she added. “Classmates throw objects at me and record it on their phones. One boy continually sexually harasses me, using explicit terms and spreading inappropriate rumors that I cannot even mention here.”
Despite her teachers advising her to “just ignore” the torment, Emma conveyed in her petition that she simply “can’t endure it any longer” and feels lost in seeking help. “My existence is a nightmare,” she emphasized. “I plead for you to sign my petition urging Riverbend High School to adopt a more robust approach to combat bullying and for the government to intervene and prevent the institution from evading accountability.”
Fortunately, Emma’s voice resonated with many. Her petition quickly garnered over 74,000 signatures and attracted attention from notable figures, including celebrities. Emma’s mother, Lisa, shared with various media outlets that the petition has prompted the school to take action. Emma was provided with a safe space to retreat during lunch and recess, allowing her to listen to music, read, or find solace. Nevertheless, both Emma and Lisa aspire for the petition to spark a broader discussion about effective bullying prevention strategies.
“I’m relieved that we can finally find some peace,” Lisa told reporters. “But my thoughts constantly linger on all the other children who are suffering. We need to reform school policies regarding bullying, as the current measures are clearly ineffective.”
Statistics from StopBullying.Gov indicate that around 70 percent of U.S. students have witnessed bullying at school, with 28 percent of students in grades six through twelve reporting personal experiences with it. Globally, similar statistics reveal that bullying is a widespread issue transcending borders. Simply advising children to “ignore the bullying” does not provide a solution.
Emma’s courageous act of bringing her struggles to light is commendable and sparks hope for more comprehensive solutions to bullying. It is essential for parents and educators to unite and actively seek effective strategies to combat bullying and, most importantly, to listen to children when they express their pain.
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Summary
Emma Thornton, a 12-year-old from Queensland, bravely initiated a petition to combat bullying after feeling unheard by school officials. Her emotional plea has drawn significant attention and prompted her school to take action, highlighting the urgent need for effective bullying prevention strategies in educational institutions.
Keyphrase: “bullying prevention in schools”
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