Bullying

Eight teenage girls are facing criminal harassment charges stemming from a bullying investigation at a London, Ont. high school. The girls were arrested after it was revealed that a student at London South Collegiate Institute was the target of physical, emotional and cyber bullying, police said. “Some (bullying) did involve the Internet, some was verbal face-to-face contact, and some was physical,” said Const. Dennis Rivest. Related Stories Employee fired over offensive comment about dead B.C. teen Bullying, aggressive behaviour rampant in children's shows: study B.C. teen's death inspires action against bullying -- online and off Photos 8 Ont. students charged with bullying Students from the school walk past South Secondary School, where 8 students were charged in a bullying case in London, Ont., on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. (Dave Chidley / THE CANADIAN PRESS) London, Ont. police make bullying arrest Police in London, Ont., say they have arrested eight girls in connection with a bullying case. (Geoff Robins / CANADIAN PRESS) The suspects were charged with criminal harassment and police said more charges could be laid as the investigation continues. They could also be expelled from school after officials there conduct their own investigation. The eight teens were released from custody on a promise to appear in court. The identities of the suspects and the victim cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police said information about the case was gathered via a school’s website through the portal “South Cares” – an online reporting tool where students can anonymously share concerns about themselves and their peers. “Because individuals came forward, directly and anonymously, the London Police Service and the Thames Valley District School Board were able to support the victim, ensure the victim was safe, and then address the bullying behaviour,” reads a statement issued by police Thursday. A London South Collegiate Institute student told CTV London on Friday that he has noticed more cases of bullying coming to light. “Since the beginning of Grade 10, I’ve noticed a lot more reported cases of bullying going around the school, and that wasn’t here when I was in Grade 9,” he said. The issue of cyber bullying was thrust into the spotlight last week following the death of British Columbia teen Amanda Todd, who took her own life following years of vicious and unrelenting bullying. A month before her death, Todd posted a YouTube video chronicling the bullying she endured over several months. On Friday, one mother at the London, Ont., school had Todd in mind. “I’m just thankful that we have eight girls that are being charged and we don’t have another suicide on our hands,” she said. Todd’s story has captured worldwide attention. On Friday, a number of schools and groups planned to pay tribute to the Port Coquitlam, B.C., teen and condemn bullying. Following news of Todd’s death, a New Democrat MP introduced a motion calling for the creation of a House of Commons committee to develop a national bullying prevention strategy. The strategy would examine the prevalence and impact of bullying and look for ways to prevent it. In Toronto, about a quarter million students observed a minute of silence Friday morning to reflect on victims of bullying across the country. Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/8-girls-charged-in-london-ont-bullying-case-1.1001975#ixzz2pZfaSAk8 The song I connected to was same love by Macklemore. I connected to this song the best because it talks about people not excepting you and being bullied. When I was in grade four I was bullied by two grade seven's. It wasn't to the point where I wanted to kill by self but I didn't feel good about myself at all. Everyone around me that saw me getting bullied by these two grade seven's didn't say anything to any teachers. I thought if I went to an adult it would make everything worse then it already was. They would push me down physically and verbally. During every lunch hour I was afraid to do anything so I was always around the supervisors outside or I just stayed inside. They would say very harsh words to me and sometimes even throw stuff at me. I finally told my mom and she went to the teachers and principal, they talked to the two girls and gave them detention but they still bullied me. Finally I said something to the bullies the next time they said something to me, I had enough with them and stood up for myself and it made a difference, after I stood up for myself I told a teacher and they stayed away from me. These two bullies actually graduated last year from Sullivan.