Gary North

April 8, 2010

Derek Randel, an author who has written a book on bullying in public schools, recommends that students be given martial arts training.

Randel, a former teacher and author of "Stopping School Violence," says bullying in schools is at epidemic levels.

National statistics show that at least 33 percent of students ages 12 to 18 fall prey to school bullies. Every day, 160,000 miss school because of it. . . .

Adults, Randel argues, can do a lot to stop it. But, he says, much like the child victims, teachers and principals often are intimidated by fear of lawsuits or fear of being screamed at by the bullies' parents.

"It's easier to cover things up," he said.

Randel advises parents of victims to get involved and to be assertive about that involvement.

He says it's time to stop letting the bullies win.

But at the same time, don't sacrifice your child to the cause. If the abuse is relentless, he recommends you pull your child out of the school and place him or her somewhere else.

At last, someone says it. Pull your child out.

Randel said there are additional ways parents can help their child be less vulnerable.

A child who appears to lack self-esteem or confidence is an easy target, he said. Teach your child how to walk with his head held high, with his shoulders square, like he owns the place.

Martial arts training can help.

He says that schools should supply adult chaperons on all buses. Right. With what money? "You cannot expect a driver to discipline and drive," he said. Correct. But schools will not supply a chaperon. It costs money.

The locker room is a breeding ground for bullying, he said, especially now that kids have cell phones. It's too easy to snap photos of classmates undressing and send them around the Internet.

"There are a lot of easy solutions," he said, most of which involve more staffing or more attentive staffing.

"It really comes down to adults getting involved.

"But I suspect things will only get worse now that schools are cutting back on personnel."

He's got that right!