MP speaks out on bullying

Todd Muller wants to support students, parents and schools to address the issue. File photo.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is concerned by recent reports of bullying in the Bay of Plenty and wants to support students, parents and schools to address the issue.

'It's been really disheartening for me to have the parents of kids who have been the victims of bullying at schools feel the need to book an appointment with their local Member of Parliament,” says Todd.

'As a parent of three children myself, I really empathise with what these families are going through. For things to have escalated this far, for me, is a sign that things have got out of hand.

'I know there are some people out there who will put this down to ‘kids being kids', but there comes a time when we need to say ‘enough is enough' and take a stand as a community.

'This week I've written to the Principals of our local schools to get a sense of whether they feel the Ministry of Education guidelines are appropriate and to see if they have any thoughts as to how they could be improved. If they are not strong enough, we need to sort them.

'I have also asked about their policies for addressing bullying and whether they have been reviewed recently.

'We need to have the right frameworks in place so that kids being bullied can come forward and have confidence in the system to address the issue. I get a sense that too many cases are flying under the radar – particularly with the insidious role social media can play.

'We can't just leave this to schools alone to address. We all have a role to play – as the saying goes ‘it takes a village to raise a child'.

'As far as I'm concerned, I have zero tolerance for bullying in any context – whether that is at school, work, or in the home.

'Our kids deserve the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment where they feel safe – that's what school is all about.”

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11 comments

Ponder this Todd

Posted on 08-11-2017 12:55 | By penguin

No-one condones bullying. But ponder the concept of glass houses and stone throwing. Try reflecting on the bullying behaviour of some or your National Party opposition mates as so often witnessed in question time in Parliament. Sort them out and you may then be in a position to justify your comments about other bullies.


My kids, others same to.

Posted on 08-11-2017 13:12 | By MISS ADVENTURE

The school would not do anything, ignored all requests and the issues continued unabatted. We ended up complaining up the food chain i.e. past the BOT. That did little more, so the only option left was to move the kids to another school. They did not even follow their own policy on how and what they say they are meant to do to resolve it, not one thing. Which ever kid is right/wrong here to do nothing about seen/confirmed/recorded/witnessed physical assults on a regular basis is only aiding and abetting the continuance of that bad behaviour.


Role Model

Posted on 08-11-2017 15:57 | By jaydeegee

Mr Muller do you consider the bullying behavior of the National Party in the House yesterday is appropriate as a role model for addressing the bullying behavior of school children mentioned in this article?


There will always...

Posted on 08-11-2017 16:08 | By GreertonBoy

be bullies, that is human nature. Paying attention to the bully and the bully seeing that his/her bullying is causing a reaction lets the bully win. To not react or simply ignore the bully (unless it is physical bullying) gives no reward to the bully, so they will get bored and move on. The bully wants the 'victim' to react, so, dont react. And parents, get your kids (and yourselves) off social media like farce-book and instagroan... for all of the good they do, they do 10x more harm. Get off social mediochre (media) and get a real life. Plenty of keyboard bullies out there.... and I am sure that before long people will be less worried about not seeing 'selfies' of their friends or what they had for dinner. For every one bully in person, there is 1000 cyber bullies. Unplug the cyber bullies and get real...


Bullying...

Posted on 08-11-2017 20:04 | By Me again

is everywhere, home, workplace, schools, and even in parliament., young persons and our elderly. Politicians seem to be doing well at it too, in they form of "bullying" Debates yea right, newspaper headlines with politicians who are suppose to be running our country for those kids future, with bullying tactics, yea right. But I suppose they are privileged to do so, yeeah right. Start from that door way.My 2 cents worth


Ponder this Todd

Posted on 08-11-2017 21:24 | By penguin

No-one condones bullying. But ponder the concept of glass houses and stone throwing. Try reflecting on the bullying behaviour of some or your National Party opposition mates as so often witnessed in question time in Parliament. Sort them out and you may then be in a position to justify your comments about other bullies.


Bullying...needs addressing, as young bullies often turn into big bullies!

Posted on 08-11-2017 21:46 | By moanasongbird

Our son was bullied at a whakatane primary school, when we mentioned it to the Headmaster who appointed the bully as our son,s body gaurd....funnily enough that worked..But at highschool in another district, he was bullied again,mentioning it to the school made things worse..by the 5th form he had grown bigger & I presumed he was ok...but sadly no.....2 black eyes & bleeding from kidneys.As a Mother I raised my children to be kind to all, & all I wished for them was that they turn out to be decent adults, not necessarily rich or earn degrees etc tho that would be a bonus.Sadly it seems small bullies grow into bigger bullies....who become even meaner esp in positions of power...managers, civil servants on committees etcThe sooner a solution is found the better our country will be.....Sincerely, Mum/Nana


Bullying

Posted on 09-11-2017 12:42 | By johndoe

Todd address the hard stuff. What about an inquiry into the refusal of ERA to deal with work-place bullying. Its the adults you need to work on and a system that supports bullying in the work-place.


Bullying?

Posted on 09-11-2017 12:44 | By phoenix

Exposing a shambolic governments short-comings is hardly Bullying.They need to get their act together before something really important crops up, and stop trying to make pathetic excuses for their failings.


A perfect..

Posted on 09-11-2017 13:05 | By Me again

example seems to be the wannabe politicians for the BOP. Real sour grapes. The other 2 cents worth.


Acknowledging a problem

Posted on 09-11-2017 19:03 | By Bulliesmum

I think we need to think about what the article is about. He had concerned parents going to him about an obvious problem. He listen to there concerns and is doing something about it. Good on him!


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