Dear Everybody’s Punching Bag,

You are so brave for speaking up about the bullying that is going on at your school. It is so important for your voice to be heard, because bullying is a huge problem that a lot of kids are having a hard time dealing with. Thank you for being a HERO for yourself and the other kids that are going through the same thing as you. You are as strong as any hero I know, because instead of listening to the negative message to hurt yourself, your message to me says that you are going to help yourself and take a stand to make things better for all kids who are reading this! Next thing we have to do is change your name! All HEROES get a new name, once they’ve done something as brave as you have. I’d like to address you as Dear ‘The Voice to Put a Stop to Bullying’.

I want you to know, I am so sorry that you are being bullied. I know it may be hard to see it this way- but it is NOT your fault, and you do NOT deserve to be treated this way. The truth is- Hurt people, hurt other people. It may not seem like it, but bullies are probably being bullied in other areas of their life and they feel like they have to fit in or appear better than they are. But, being hurt doesn’t give someone the right to hurt other people. Your secret power is that you don’t have to do what a bully tells you to do.

You my friend, DO have the right to protect yourself from being hurt. Some safe and healthy ways to protect yourself are; DON’T stop talking to safe adults, even when it seems like they don’t understand. Adults get bullied too, believe it or not; which means there IS a way for adults to understand, just sometimes we don’t know how to solve the problem, or talk to our kids the right way. But if you keep talking to us, it will help us to understand and to make a difference. Also, I suggest asking your school counselor about youth groups at your school or in the community, that come together to talk about ways to put a stop to bullying, and offer friendship and support to other kids who may need to talk. School counselors may also know about local non-profit organizations that sponsor kids to do positive social activities like Krav Maga; a self-defense program, that teaches kids to defend themselves against all different kinds of threats such as: adult as opposed to child, single attacker and multiple attackers, standing and ground defense, armed and unarmed assailants, child bullying, and verbal taunting. This approach ensures that all students of our program will have the ability to defend themselves in all situations. I hope this helps! Signed, Rosey.