Approximately 160,000 U.S. children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students.
Source: RMC Charitable Foundation
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Art Token #1: Choose Kindness
Legal Perspective – Dos & Don’ts:
Do: Cultivate an environment of respect and inclusivity within schools and communities. Treating others with kindness and consideration helps prevent the creation of hostile or intimidating environments that can escalate into legal issues.
Don’t: Engage in any offensive, intimidating, or malicious behaviour, even if perceived as “harmless fun.” In Trinidad and Tobago, a consistent “course of conduct” that causes alarm or distress, even without physical contact, can constitute harassment under the Offences Against the Person Act, Chapter 11:08.
Word of Wisdom from the Bible: Let your actions reflect compassion and empathy towards others, for kindness is a powerful force that builds up, rather than tears down.
Scripture: “And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)
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More than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied.
Source: National Bullying Prevention Center (Cited by DoSomething.org)
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Art Token #2: Break The Silence!
Legal Perspective – Dos & Don’ts:
Do: Report any observed or experienced incidents of bullying or harassment to appropriate authorities, such as school administration, or, if severe, the police. Reporting mechanisms exist to ensure interventions can occur.
Don’t: Remain silent or conceal information about bullying or harassment. Failure to report, especially by those in positions of authority (e.g., school officials), can lead to accusations of negligence or breach of duty of care, potentially resulting in legal liability for institutions or individuals.
Word of Wisdom from the Bible: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and do not be complicit in injustice by remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing.
Scripture: “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9 KJV)
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75% of shooting incidents at schools have been linked to bullying and harassment.
Source: RMC Charitable Foundation
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Art Token #3: Treat Everyone With Dignity
Legal Perspective – Dos & Don’ts:
Do: Ensure that all interactions, whether in person or online, respect the inherent worth and rights of every individual. Foster an environment where diversity is valued and every person feels safe and included.
Don’t: Engage in discriminatory behaviour or make unwelcome remarks based on a person’s characteristics (e.g., race, religion, gender, disability). Such actions can constitute harassment in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly if they create a hostile environment or cause distress, and may also violate principles of equality.
Word of Wisdom from the Bible: Every person is created in the image of God, deserving of honour and respect, regardless of their background or differences.
Scripture: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27 KJV)honour
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Globally, close to 130 million (slightly more than 1 in 3) students between the ages of 13 and 15 experience bullying.
Source: UNICEF report ‘A familiar face’, November 2017
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Art Token #4: Bullying Leaves Scars: Be A Healer!
Legal Perspective – Dos & Don’ts:
Do: Support victims in seeking necessary aid, including counselling, medical attention, and legal redress where applicable. Documentation of harm (physical, emotional, financial) can be crucial for legal claims.
Don’t: Dismiss or trivialise the lasting emotional, psychological, or physical harm caused by bullying. Serious bullying can lead to civil claims for damages, and the documented impact on the victim’s well-being can be key evidence in court proceedings (e.g., for assault, battery, or harassment).
Word of Wisdom from the Bible: Offer comfort and healing to those wounded by cruelty, demonstrating compassion and working towards reconciliation and restoration.
Scripture: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 KJV)
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Among all students who experienced various types of bullying, the most common forms were spreading rumours (13.0%) and being made fun of or called names (11.9%).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2022 (Cited by PACER Center)
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Art Token #5: Words Cut Deep!
- Legal Perspective – Dos & Don’ts:
- Do: Practice responsible communication, especially when using social media or other public platforms. Consider the potential impact of your words before you share them.
- Don’t: Use threatening, defamatory, or abusive language, whether spoken or written (including online posts). In Trinidad and Tobago, such communication can fall under the definition of harassment (causing alarm or distress, engaging in contact by computer/post, giving offensive material) and could also lead to civil actions for defamation (libel for written, slander for spoken).
- Word of Wisdom from the Bible: Recognize the immense power of your words; they have the capacity to bring life or to cause destruction. Choose them wisely.
- Scripture: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)