An Interview with Kathy Noll.
Kathy’s book , Taking the Bully by the Horns is a valuable resource to assist in dealing with the increasing problem of bullying in the schools globally. I was honoured to have her answer some questions for me and share some of her insights.
Q. What sparked your interest in anti-bullying work?
A. There is a great need for information on bullies now as a lot of children are having problems. I know this because I receive a lot of mail asking for help from parents, children and educators.
Q. What are the main insights you have come to from doing this work?
A. That bullying is happening EVERYWHERE. No country is free from it and it is only increasing. It could be lessened and lives could be saved if children were taught responsibility and that their actions have consequences. Violence is a learned behaviour and can be changed like any other behaviour. Too many “incidents” occur because a child was bullied to the point of destruction, either self-destruction or in the form of school shootings and bombings.
Q. What are your main concerns about bullying in schools?
A. That it will go unnoticed or schools will be too afraid or unconcerned to step in. And that more bystanders will “fear” getting involved which will result in more violent incidences. Bystanders should be told that they do NOT need to have their name mentioned when reporting someone. The teacher can approach the bully and tell him “we heard such and such was going on” without giving names. That way there is nothing to fear.
Q. Where do you see this work heading in the future?
A. My book, Taking the Bully by the Horns was one of the first to come out in this serious topic and many people told me that it was the only book they could find. Now more people are becoming concerned because of all the violence that has taken place within the past few years. So there are new programmes and policies coming out every day. There are many incidents which ALMOST took place that you never heard about because people are watching and listening more closely.
Q. Can you give a summary of the recommendations you may offer to parents, teachers and students.
Kathy’s book , Taking the Bully by the Horns is a valuable resource to assist in dealing with the increasing problem of bullying in the schools globally. I was honoured to have her answer some questions for me and share some of her insights.
Q. What sparked your interest in anti-bullying work?
A. There is a great need for information on bullies now as a lot of children are having problems. I know this because I receive a lot of mail asking for help from parents, children and educators.
Q. What are the main insights you have come to from doing this work?
A. That bullying is happening EVERYWHERE. No country is free from it and it is only increasing. It could be lessened and lives could be saved if children were taught responsibility and that their actions have consequences. Violence is a learned behaviour and can be changed like any other behaviour. Too many “incidents” occur because a child was bullied to the point of destruction, either self-destruction or in the form of school shootings and bombings.
Q. What are your main concerns about bullying in schools?
A. That it will go unnoticed or schools will be too afraid or unconcerned to step in. And that more bystanders will “fear” getting involved which will result in more violent incidences. Bystanders should be told that they do NOT need to have their name mentioned when reporting someone. The teacher can approach the bully and tell him “we heard such and such was going on” without giving names. That way there is nothing to fear.
Q. Where do you see this work heading in the future?
A. My book, Taking the Bully by the Horns was one of the first to come out in this serious topic and many people told me that it was the only book they could find. Now more people are becoming concerned because of all the violence that has taken place within the past few years. So there are new programmes and policies coming out every day. There are many incidents which ALMOST took place that you never heard about because people are watching and listening more closely.
Q. Can you give a summary of the recommendations you may offer to parents, teachers and students.
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