True Blood's 'Yvetta' Stands Up For Victimized Kids
Actress Natasha Alam, True Blood's Fangtasia dancer 'Yvetta,' has joined a growing list of concerned celebrities who are speaking out publicly against bullying. Alam recently filmed an anti-bullying public service announcement in Los Angeles which addresses the disturbing issue. As unlikely as it may sound, popular performers are also beginning to open up and reveal how they too have been victimized, some in the extreme. "I was bullied so badly my dad used to have to walk me into school so I didn't get attacked," Jessica Alba told 'London's Daily Mirror', while Michelle Trachtenberg told 'Complex' magazine that she actually suffered physical injuries at the hands of a bully—a girl who pushed her down a flight of stairs at school. Statistics reinforce the personal tales of suffering at the hands of one's peers. Sadly, bullying is widespread. According to a U.S. 2004 poll of children, 86% of more than 1,200 9- to 13-year-old boys and girls polled said they've seen someone else being bullied, 48% said they've been bullied, and 42% admitted to bullying other kids at least once in a while. National Bullying Awareness Week in Canada
This week is National Bullying Awareness Week in Canada and as such the problem is being illuminated and addressed frankly. Young people are being encouraged to speak out about bullying and victimization and adults are urged to really listen. In Canada, the statistics regarding bullying tell a familiar tale: One out of 4 kids are bullied, one out of 5 kids are the bully and 282,000 high school kids are attacked each month nationally. That is simply unacceptable. It is important however, to help both the victims and the bullies through emotional support compassion and education.
Children who are bullied often experience low self-esteem and depression, whereas those doing the bullying may go on to engage in more destructive, antisocial behaviors as teens and adults. Bullies, who often have been bullied themselves, may pick on others to feel powerful, popular, important, or in control. Often, they antagonize the same children repeatedly. Prevention Is Possible
In filming her PSA, Alam most likely was confronted with both the sad facts of so many bullied children and the heartening news that prevention of bullying through education and awareness is possible and that everyone can play a role. The fact is there are no simple solutions because we first need to understand the issue of bullying more deeply. We need to be aware of practical approaches, policies, programs and resources that are effective. With bullying and its ramifications a big topic of national conversation celebrities of every type are joining in to send the message to anyone hurting that there are people who care and resources to help and most importantly, that victims of bullying are not alone.- Antibullying Resources: www.bullying.org, http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/
- Antibullying Wristband: info@bullyingawarenessweek.org
- Antibullying downloadable free material (posters, info., etc.): www.bullyingawarenessweek.org/resources.html
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