Trieste: Carabinieri on the front line in schools against bullying

Il Bullying is one of forms of peer violence, which manifests itself in minors in school or community contexts.

Could be physical, verbal but also psychological, form, this, indirect bullying which manifests itself with episodes that deliberately aim at exclusion from the group, isolation, spreading gossip.

For this reason it is a complex and worrying social phenomenon, that It mainly affects young people and can have devastating consequences on their physical and psychological development.

In this context, theArms of the Carabinieri carries out a fundamental role in its prevention and contrastThrough awareness-raising, education and direct intervention activities.

Through meetings and initiatives in the city's compulsory schools, such as the one held at theComprehensive Institute “Julia Division”, the military personnel of the Provincial Command of Trieste explain to the kids what bullying is, what its different forms are (physical, verbal, psychological, cyberbullying), what the consequences are for the victims and for the perpetrators and how to recognize and report risky situations.

Il bully, as the Carabinieri specify, acts to override; the episodes are repeated over time and the victim, weaker, feels unable to defend himself or ask for help.

Il cyberbullyingInstead, It happens online. It is more insidious because the bully, in this case, can reach the victim at any time and in any place, even hiding one's identity.

The main forms of cyberbullying include repeatedly sending vulgar, angry or derogatory messages, spreading cruel or false gossip, but also identity theft and posting sensitive material about the victim, and physical attacks recorded and shared online.

The messages that the Carabinieri want to convey to the kids in their meetings are essentially these:

• don't be ashamed to ask for help, because this is not a form of weakness;
• tell the teachers, perhaps with the help of a friend;
• talk to your parents;
• stay in touch with friends. Kids need to understand that they are not alone and should not lose faith in others, despite the difficult time;
• keep a sort of "log", in which to note down as much information as possible about the harassment suffered and save the screenshots if it happens online,
• If they know someone who is being bullied, they should tell an adult right away.

But the Carabinieri have drawn up a list of correct behaviors for parents to follow as well:

• you have to be open to dialogue and notice if there are changes in your children's attitudes;
• address the issue of bullying at home, in order to help them recognize it, even as a witness;
• help children express their anger without having to resort to violence;
• encourage children to find activities that can gratify them and increase their sense of self-esteem;
• ask teachers to keep an eye on their child at school if they suspect he or she is being bullied;
• alert the police if the attacks you have suffered turn into real acts of physical violence or blackmail;
• use tools such as parental controls and monitor the use of social platforms;
• call the Single Emergency Number 112 in case of need and, for any possible support, the number 114 Childhood Emergency: a free and multilingual service active 24/7 via telephone, chat and Whatsapp at the number 348/7987845, or the toll-free number 800.669696 or Telefono Azzurro to the toll-free number 1.96.96, active 24/7, with online chat available on the site https://azzurro.it/. The National Anti-Cyberbullying Center (CMAC), instead, can be contacted on the toll-free number 800.642.377 , while the 'Data Protection Authority may be interested in blocking harmful content online.

THEArms of the Carabinieri also promotes thelaw education, to help young people understand theimportance of respecting the rules, the rights of others and individual responsibility.

In this way, one tries to create a culture of contrast to bullying and violence, Based on the awareness active participation of all.

The goal is to creating a safer and more inclusive society for young people, in which the bullying has no place and everyone can feel protected and respected.