In a heartfelt plea for help, a courageous 12-year-old girl has taken matters into her own hands by initiating an online petition against bullying at her school. Bullied relentlessly and feeling unheard by authorities, young Emma Carter, a student at Oakridge State High School in Queensland, has shared her painful experiences in a petition she created alongside her mother.
“I’m the outcast at school, and my life feels unbearable,” Emma wrote. “Every day, I’m called names like ‘fatty’, ‘weirdo’, and ‘ugly’, and I’m told to end my life.”
Emma explained that the harassment doesn’t stop with name-calling; it’s a daily ordeal that includes physical bullying and harassment from students across various grades, some of whom she doesn’t even know. “I’ve been shoved to the ground, had my personal belongings rifled through, and even had my scooter broken,” she detailed. “Others in my class throw items at me while recording it. There’s even one boy who continuously harasses me with inappropriate names and spreads false rumors I can’t even repeat here.”
Despite her teachers’ advice to “just ignore it,” Emma expressed that she can’t bear the pain any longer and feels trapped. “My existence has become miserable,” she wrote. “I am pleading for you to sign my petition urging Oakridge State High School to take a firmer stance against bullying and for the government to ensure schools are held accountable for these issues.”
Fortunately, Emma’s voice has been heard. Her petition has gathered over 75,000 signatures, gaining attention from various figures, including well-known personalities on social media. Emma’s mother, Lisa, shared with Buzzfeed that the overwhelming support has prompted the school to respond. Emma now has access to a safe space during lunch where she can relax and find solace. However, both Emma and Lisa hope this movement leads to systemic changes in how schools address bullying. “While I’m relieved we have some breathing room now, I can’t stop thinking about the other kids who are still struggling,” Lisa remarked. “We need to reform the school’s bullying policies because the current strategies are ineffective.”
Statistics show that bullying is a widespread issue, with around 70 percent of kids in the U.S. reporting witnessing bullying in their schools, and 28 percent experiencing it firsthand. This problem transcends borders, affecting children in developed nations worldwide. Telling kids to simply overlook their tormentors doesn’t solve the problem.
Emma’s bravery in sharing her story and advocating for change is truly inspiring. Her efforts could motivate parents and educators everywhere to unite and seek new solutions to the bullying epidemic, emphasizing the need to always listen to children who are in pain. For more insightful discussions, check out our post on home insemination kits here.
In conclusion, it’s crucial for communities to come together and support initiatives that protect children from bullying and create safe environments for them to thrive. To learn more about the journey of parenthood and related topics, visit Make A Mom and explore the resources available at Medline Plus.