Our schools are not safe. Why? Other kids. When the target of a bully gets into just as much or more trouble as the bully for defending themselves, what do you expect? When the bullies have no fear of the consequences, what do you expect? When teachers fear losing their jobs or being sued for trying to intercede, what do you expect?
Bullies learn to bully either directly or indirectly from the parents. Either because the parents themselves are bullies/abusive, or because the parents don't intercede and correct the behavior when it happens.
Kids should be taught what self defense is, and that it is ok to do so when the situation calls for it. Teachers should be allowed to intercede on the behalf of the victims without fear that their jobs are on the line. Bullies and their parents need to face stiff consequences for the behavior of that child.
Children are killing themselves in order to no longer be on the receiving end of bullying. Read that sentence over and over and over. Read it until it makes you angry. If it doesn't make you angry, you're part of the problem.
