Whoever penned the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” didn’t anticipate how modern technology would provide new opportunities for verbal abuse. In the 21st century, nearly 50% of students reported bullying in schools and 20% of students indicated experiencing cyberbullying.

Not all of these bullying acts involve violent behaviors or threats…but what happens when a child is verbally and/or physically attacked? The consequences depend upon the school district, and these outcomes don’t always protect the victim or rehabilitate the bully.

Types Of Bullying

Let’s review the various types of bullying that children reported experiencing: 

• Excluded from activities (5.2%)
• Name calling (13%)
• Rumors (13%)
• Spitting, hitting, or tripping (5.3%)
• Threatened (3.9%)

This is not an all inclusive list and it does not make the distinction between cyberbullying  and bullying in school. However, the main focus here is physical bullying (threatening, spitting, hitting, and tripping).

When your child is physically threatened (in person or online), most parents report the incident to the school. But not every school handles bullying the same way, and sometimes, this report could negatively affect your child if they acted out physically in response to bullying.

Why Parents Shouldn’t Rely On School District Policies

Make no mistake, this article is not meant to vilify teachers and other education professionals. The education system strives to help as many students as possible, but sometimes children fall through in the cracks.

As a parent or guardian, it’s your job to make sure your child receives the help they need. You are their advocate. It’s a parent’s responsibility to ensure that the school is treating their child fairly, especially when it comes to bullying.

Many schools have a “no tolerance” policy, which results in both students (victim and perpetrator) receiving consequences for their actions. But when someone threatens violence or physically assaults your child, it’s time to make a police report and prepare an attorney.

How Does A Parent Deal With Bullying?

For every family who has a child who is bullied, there is another family where their child is the bully. But regardless of the circumstances, your children needs representation if law enforcement is involved.

First, have a talk with your child. If a police officer pulls them out of class to ask questions, tell your child not to talk until they speak to mom and dad (or guardian). At this moment, if you don’t have an attorney, you’ll want to find one to help your child during the interrogation process.

Now you might think, why would my child need an attorney? Looking back on our previous blog “Why You Need An Attorney When Speaking To The Police” for reference, law enforcement is looking to solve and close a case as quickly as possible.

This is a problem for both the victim and the perpetrator. The victim may receive harsher results without a lawyer fighting for the rights (like suspension), and the perpetrator might see hard circumstances (like juvie).

Let Hickey & Hull Help Your Child With School Disciplinary Actions

If your child has been suspended due to acting against their abusive bully, it’s time to file a police report and contact an attorney. It’s possible that the school will involve law enforcement, and it’s crucial that your child has a lawyer to represent them.

In 2024, the country has witnessed 78 school shootings thus far, with 105 injured, 36 dead, and countless individuals traumatized. Don’t let your kid become a statistic, contact Hickey & Hull to defend your child and fight for their right for a safe education.

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