September 2025
Re: “Bullying still big problem for kids” (Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun, 2 September): How about bullying amongst adults? Unfortunately, bullying doesn’t end upon reaching adulthood. Just like in childhood, there is really only one way to combat bullying, and that is with swift and harsh punishment, something our schools, workplaces and legal system seem unwilling to do.
In my personal experience with bullies in the schoolyard when I was young, I learned that the only thing that a bully understands is a hard punch to the nose. Regardless of whether that bully promptly pounded me into the ground, whether I pounded the bully into the ground, or it was a draw, they left me alone after that. Trying to reason with them didn’t work, neither did ignoring them. Bullies pick on those whom they perceive as weak; as an easy target.
As an adult, you will likely end up in court on assault charges (less so for schoolyard fights), so suddenly the victim of bullying becomes an accused. Even if you are able to successfully argue self-defence, which may be hard to do, especially as not all bullying is physical, you still end up in court with a huge legal bill for your troubles.
Just as with a potential “Castle Law,” our legal system needs to take bullying more seriously, with severe and swift punishments. I would also include the weekly pro-Hamas protests that have gone from legitimate protest, to bullying, intimidation and harassment of an identifiable group and their allies. My suggestion won’t solve all bullying, but it’s better than what we are doing now.
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The original column that inspired my column:
The kids aren’t alright, according to youth study
Author of the article: Jane Stevenson
Despite years of effort to stop bullying, it’s still a significant problem, according to a study by Children First Canada.
The organization’s annual Raising Canada report, which came out Tuesday, found 71% of kids, ages 12–17, reported being bullied in the past year, with only one in four students feeling supported by teachers.
The finding came despite 71% of teachers claiming that they act to prevent forms of bullying.
“What really stood out to me was the disconnect between what teachers felt was happening and what kids felt was happening,” said Sara Austin, CEO of Children First Canada.
“For me as a parent, let alone as an advocate for all of our kids, it really shows that there’s a gap. Something’s falling apart,” she added. “And it’s not that our teachers don’t care or aren’t trying to tackle these issues but clearly our kids are struggling in ways that they’re needing more support and they’re needing more stronger action and more collaboration, too.”
