Bullying is still with us today. Our host, Bianca Versolato, speaks to local students about their experience at school and the effects of bullying.

Dania Maisonneuve - Local Journalism Initiative

Orion Rochon Ramirez and Anthony Rodrigue, two teenagers from the Clarence-Rockland region, discuss their experiences facing and witnessing bullying at school and in their community.

During this interview, they explain that they have both witnessed and been victims of bullying in person and online. In addition, the social rejection they have faced and seen because of someone's clothes, appearances and even medical choices has led them to feel isolated in their school.

Impactful consequences

Bullying isn’t just about physical acts, such as punching or taunting. The government of Ontario lists four other types of bullying including verbal bullying, social or relational bullying, and written and cyberbullying. But no matter the form of bullying, the consequences of those acts are real. 

When it comes to the youth of our community, bullying can not only have an impact on their learning but also their sense of security, their well-being, their mental health and much more. One of the common misconceptions of bullying is that it only affects the victims, when in reality it’s also those who are witnessing or even doing the bullying that can face a psychological impact due to these actions.

Looking for help

Both teens agreed during the interview that speaking up about bullying and reaching for help as soon as possible is important to fight this ongoing problem. Anthony said:  “You should talk to someone as soon as you can: whether it be a parent, a guardian, a teacher, anyone who can help you and who knows what is right”.

While Orion also agrees that it’s important to speak up immediately, they also stress the importance of not thinking that this is a problem that you have to deal with on your own: “I didn’t speak out about it because I thought that it was something that was just my problem. (...) That’s what sent me into my spiral of 5 years of depression, that I’m still struggling with to this day.”