Bullying has become one of the most talked about topics today as anger and rage is escalating to physical violence. The days of sticks and stones will break your bones, but words can never hurt you, are well over. The emotional scarring of bullying is deep, now we are seeing the physical scars on two local teens from Deerfield Beach Middle School.
Back in October 2009, Michael Brewer was nearly burned to death as a group of teens attacked him. He was viciously doused in alcohol and set on fire. This incident almost seems incomprehensible. In many opinions, it is not even defensible. There is simply no justifiable reason teens would intentional set another teen on fire.
Last week we all were stunned as 8 grader, Josie Lou Ratley was nearly beaten to death by 15 year-old Wayne Treacy after a flurry of upsetting text messages. Allegedly, with the assistance of his 13 year-old, Kayla Manson, he was lead to Josie, whom he had never meet, and punched her and stomped her head into the concrete. Why?
Why do some kids bully? Why do some kids feel the need to make others feel awful? Why do some kids express their rage with violence?
According to Education.com: Bullying among children is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Typically, it is repeated over time. Bullying can take many forms such as hitting or punching (physical bullying); teasing or name-calling (verbal bullying); intimidation through gestures or social exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying); and sending insulting messages by e-mail (cyberbullying).
There is no one single cause of bullying among children. Rather, individual, family, peer, school, and community factors can place a child or youth at risk for bullying his or her peers.
In the recent attack on Josie Ratley, Broward Circuit Judge Elijah Williams issued a temporary gag order Thursday, barring talks about the facts of the case against the 15-year-old suspect Wayne Treacy until April 6. The judge will then hear a request for a permanent order from the suspects lawyer. - CBS4 News
The Ratley family does not have medical insurance. Donations can be made at Wachovia Bank, in care of the Law Office of Garden and Donor for the benefit of Josie Lou Ratley in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Bowling Against Bullying fundraiser was held yesterday by other teens. More than 100 teens gathered at Splitsville bowling alley at Sunset Place Thursday to raise benefit money for Josie Lou Ratley. "I really think we should all as individuals do the best we can to prevent that happening, so it's the least I could do locally," said Alexandra Cruz. -WSVN
There are more fundraisers being planned in our community. Check back for more information. Watch video - click here - for more information on SOS - Students Offering Support Miami.
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