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PROJECT: BULLYING AND THE LAW

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Our organisation, Specialised Security Services, has a dual objective.


We endeavour to expose, inform, and educate the public through our daily projects.


We aim to address current newsworthy issues that impact the community.


One such issue that has come to the forefront is bullying in schools.


We have received numerous cases from concerned parents regarding this problem and have already taken steps to help the victims and their families.


We recognise the bullies themselves may be victims of traumatic experiences, leading them to act out their aggression on others.


Therefore, we assist the victims as well as the perpetrators to help them overcome their trauma and prevent further incidents.

 

  • Bullying is defined as the repetitive and intentional act of hurting someone where there is an imbalance of power in the relationship.

  • Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional and often involves a group of people who participate in bullying the victim.

  • Physical bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, kicking, pushing or biting, while verbal bullying can be in the form of teasing, belittling, threatening or name-calling.

  • Emotional bullying can include intimidating, tormenting, threatening or humiliating a victim.

  • The incidents have escalated exponentially with technology and the social impact it has on young people.

  • It is important to realise that it affects young teenagers and children from primary schools.

  • The bullying of learners in schools has become a nightmare for parents and teachers in South Africa and globally.


  • Bullying has a severely negative impact on a child's self-esteem and may lead to social isolation.

  • If parents suspect that their child has become a victim of bullying, there are several things they can do to help:

  • Tell the child to seek immediate help from a responsible adult.

  • A teacher will be willing to assist and support the victim.

  • Listen to your child and provide support at all times.

  • Be sympathetic and avoid telling them to "pull themselves together".

  • It is important not to minimize or devalue their feelings and experiences.

  • Watch out for signs that your child may be experiencing bullying at school:

  • They may frequently make excuses for not wanting to go to school.

  • Their grades may begin to suffer, and they may struggle to concentrate.

  • They may come home with unexplained bruises, injuries, or torn clothing, and their possessions may be damaged or stolen.

  • It is crucial for parents to address the issue of bullying as soon as they become aware of it, as it has long-term effects on a child's mental and emotional well-being.

  • A victim of bullying often experiences low self-esteem, poor academic performance, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

 

LEGAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE:


  • The Protection from Harassment Act 71 of 2011 came into effect on the 27th of April 2013.

  • In terms of this Act, a victim may approach a Magistrates Court in his area to obtain a Protection order against the child bully.

  • In terms of Section 2(3)(a) of the said Act, the application may be brought on behalf of the complainant by a parent, guardian or a person who has a material interest in the matter.

  • Section 2(4) however permits the child victim (complainant) to bring the application on his/her own without the assistance of an adult.

  • A Protection order prohibits the bully from further harassing the victim and eliciting another person's assistance in order to harass the victim.

  • A court may also add additional conditions that it may deem necessary to ensure the well-being and safety of the victim.

  • Imposing these conditions provides an opportunity to engage the bully in therapy and also to involve the family in group conferences and embark on mediation and restorative justice processes.

  • If the bully is under the age of 10 years, he/she cannot be prosecuted criminally in terms of the Child Justice Act 5 of 2008, but a Protection order can still be granted in terms of the Protection of Harassment Act 17 of 2011.


IMPORTANT:

  • The South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (SASA) also Provides for the Governing Bodies of Public Schools to adopt a code of conduct for learners.

  • This Code of Conduct must consist of a set of rules which sets out a standard of behaviour for learners and encourages self-discipline and mutual respect.

  • Furthermore, the Code of conduct must provide a framework within a safe, secure, and disciplined learning environment.

  • In the event of any transgressions, the governing board must see to the disciplinary action against such a child offender.

 

Bullying is a concerning issue in South African schools.


Facts:

  • Learners are responsible for 90% of bullying in schools.

  • 67% of victims do not ask teachers for help, believing it will not make any difference.

  • Approximately 160,000 high school students skip school daily to avoid being bullied.


 

IN THE NEWS:



 
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group. This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.

HOW TO JOIN THE MIKE BOLHUIS DAILY PROJECTS WHATSAPP GROUP:

• Follow the link to our WhatsApp group:

• "JOIN" to ensure you never miss our daily updates.

• You will receive automatic notifications as soon as a new project is posted.

 
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.

ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
 

Regards,

Mike Bolhuis

Specialist Investigators into

Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes

PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949

Mobile: +27 82 447 6116

Fax: 086 585 4924

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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.


STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.


POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here:

 
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Copyright © 2023 Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:

Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services

PO Box 15075 Lynn East

Pretoria, Gauteng 0039

South Africa

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THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.

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