Warning Signs a Child is Getting Bullied
Lawyer in PA and NJ protects children’s rights
Bullying can have a devastating effect on a child. Along with potential physical abuse, constant stress and anxiety, fear of being targeted and social isolation take their toll. The result might be a child who becomes depressed and withdrawn, or acts out, against others or themselves. As a law firm dedicated to assisting young victims of bullying in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, The Pagano Law Firm, LLC knows what parents should watch for. If you detect the warning signs in your child, it’s imperative that you take the problem seriously and seek an effective remedy. We are here to be a resource for parents who wish to protect their children from this unacceptable form of mistreatment.
How you can tell a child is getting bullied
Bullying is a broad term that can include verbal, physical and signaling behaviors that isolate and target certain individuals for abuse. Physical bullying can leave telltale signs, such as cuts and bruises on the victim. If your child does not want to talk about those marks or offers an implausible explanation for how they received them, you should suspect physical bullying. However, not all bullying is physical. The psychological torment a bullied child endures is sometimes worse. This treatment can cause a host of symptoms that might be more difficult to detect, such as:
- Headaches
- Nervous stomach and eating issues
- Personality changes
- Depression and fatigue
- Feelings of shame
- Loneliness
- Angry outbursts
- Fear of school or another place where the bullying happens
- Academic issues
Tweens and teens are often moody and uncommunicative. But parents should not assume their child is simply dealing with standard adolescent turmoil. They could be in dire need of your assistance.
Confirming your child has been bullied and next steps
Every parent should know what to do if your child gets bullied. First, you need to understand the scope of the problem. Try having a discussion with your child and asking a few general questions:
- Does bullying happen at your school?
- Do you know anyone who is being bullied?
- Have any kids teased or excluded you?
Children usually don’t want to talk about being bullied, because they feel ashamed that it is happening to them. Ask your child what they are feeling about the issue. Affirm you care for them and their personal worth. Encourage them to focus on constructive activities that build their self-confidence. Help them with verbal strategies for responding. In the meantime, you should raise the issue with someone in authority at your child’s school. Ask about the school’s anti-bullying program and demand that its provisions be provided to you and enforced.
Attorney addresses bullying issues with schools in PA and NJ
Schools have a responsibility to supervise children and root out destructive conduct. In many cases, schools that are not proactive about bullying complaints can be held liable should such negligence cause harm to their students.
Contact a knowledgeable Pennsylvania lawyer for a free consultation on bullying liability
The Pagano Law Firm, LLC in Radnor is available 7 days a week to assist you with the legalities of school bullying. The Pagano Law Firm, LLC will help you address bullying and other harassing behaviors within your child’s school in its effort to assist victims of bullying and their families in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Please call 484-318-2561 or contact us online to make an appointment.
