AMA supports moves to stamp out bullying
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA strongly supports any moves by governments and community organisations to stamp out bullying, especially bullying of young people in schools and other settings.
It has been reported today that a Girl Guides Australia survey of 24,000 young girls found that 68 per cent of girls surveyed were very concerned about bullying.
Dr Pesce said bullying is a very serious social and health issue, but the true extent of the problem is hard to know because many victims suffer in silence, fearful of possible violence if they speak out.
“Bullying is often a hidden issue with potentially significant impacts on developing minds and a person’s self-perceptions,” Dr Pesce said.
“Victims of bullying can become traumatized, anxious and seriously depressed.
“Often it can be hard to tell if these feelings are a normal reaction to what is happening, or whether victims are experiencing a more serious mental health problem.
“It is important that we educate and inform young people to speak to their parents or other trusted adults such as their teacher or GP if they are being bullied and don’t know what to do.
“Bullying has been around for a long time but these days bullies have many more ways to intimidate their victims.
“While bullying can involve physical violence, cyber-bullying through mobile phones and other electronic devices, or social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, is becoming more widespread and potentially more damaging.
“The impacts of bullying are being seen every day by doctors in their young patients.
“The AMA is taking active steps to raise awareness of bullying and its health effects.
“We want to help provide constructive strategies and options for young people – both the victims and the bullies themselves – to stamp out bullying in the community.
“We are currently producing an information brochure on bullying that will be distributed through general practices and interested community organisations around the country.
“In the meantime, the AMA is keen to work with the Government and other groups to develop and support positive measures to educate people about bullying and how to stop it,” Dr Pesce said.
10 February 2011
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