Hamilton Place this week kicked off “Malls & Retailers Unite Against Bullying” in association with National Bullying Prevention Month and sponsored by Captain McFinn and Friends. Tuesday’s event, hosted by WRCB anchor David Carroll, aims to open up dialogue on how individuals can take an active stand against bullying behavior.
“Malls & Retailers Unite Against Bullying” was born as an extension of an ongoing program for children based on the lessons of Captain McFinn and Friends. The stories teach lessons about kindness, loyalty, honesty, empathy, and care for the world’s environment.
Hamilton Place has challenged all K-2 classrooms in Hamilton County to create positive bullying prevention messages on paper chains to be displayed throughout the mall during the month of October. The school with the most participation will be awarded a S.H.A.R.K. Patrol Kit, a bully prevention program to educate K-2 students on how to recognize bullying, and protect themselves and others against it.
Hamilton Place invites the public to pick up and sign an anti-bullying pledge throughout the month by visiting the Tourist Information Center, located on the upper level of the mall, near Sears.
Studies show that bullying causes serious social and emotional problems for children, including depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. Without intervention, bullies also suffer. As adults, they commit more crimes, use more mental health services and have a higher risk of alcoholism. Recent high-profile bully cases resulting in suicide have prompted schools to adopt stronger anti-bullying policies. Still, many situations go unnoticed, falling between the cracks of the most well-meaning program.
It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. In addition, one in seven students in grades K-2 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. Bullying can take many forms but it usually includes hitting, pushing, verbal slurs and put downs, spreading rumors, exclusion, and harassment via texting or the Internet.
Source: Hamilton Place