Standing up to bullies with non-violence
DURBAN self-defence instructor Darryl Faught is teaching youngsters just what to do when cornered in the school yard – without violence.
A slew of online videos of bullies punching, kicking and beating smaller children have exposed the horrifying extent of bullying occurring in South African schools.
This included a 13-year-old who died after allegedly being beaten at a Benoni school.
However, Faught is adamant that standing up to a bully is not about hitting or kicking back and, this week, his class of boys aged 5 and up, gave a demonstration on their skills in Brazilian jiu jitsu, which enables them to get away from an attacker without having to resort to violence.
“Bullying has definitely become an issue at schools and the boys learn how to defend themselves without violence. If someone grabs them, pushes them against a wall or down on to the floor, they know how to get out of it. In fact, this form of martial arts gives you an advantage if you are lying on your back,” said Faught.
He added that studying the art of jiu jitsu does not depend upon height, strength or weight.
“It’s great for smaller kids who are not big, strong guys and it trains both spheres of the brain, as well as strengthens the joints and ligaments, which improves agility.”
In addition, the confidence instilled from knowing you are able to defend yourself is often a deterrent on its own for bullies.
“It’s all about using your own body to get out of a confrontation and the confidence from knowing you can do that shows in how you walk and face the world.
“We always have a weekly chat about what has happened in school and how to deal with it. It’s important for my class to also know when to walk away or not and I also talk to them on how not to become a bully,” said Faught.
This month will see a number of international anti-bullying campaigns, including the International Stand Up To Bullying Day on November 25, which takes place in different schools and organisations across 25 countries, while Anti-Bullying Week will also take place towards the end of the month.
Yesterday, Joan van Niekerk, member and former president of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect said: “Bullying has become a massive problem in our country and is part and parcel of violence being seen as the norm.
“To teach children self-defence techniques is excellent, but such techniques must be used with great care because bullying is a complex issue,” said Van Niekerk.
She added that respect for elders also left many children vulnerable when it came to being bullied by older children, school prefects or adults.
“Schools are doing a lot now when it comes to training their prefects and many have a bullying policy in place. Such a policy has to be a joint process between the educators, the school body and the children on how such a policy can be enforced.
“Also, any parental interference in a case of bullying must be discussed with the child before the parent takes action, as the physical bullying may stop but it can take a subtler form,” she said.