Hike and support young victims

AFTER Beverley Davids’ son was bullied in school, he made her promise to help other learners who were facing similar abuse.

After Davids’ son Chauncey, 14, died while conducting a selfmade experiment using a plastic container, a deodorant bottle and a cigarette lighter, Davids created the Chauncey’s Epic Anti-Bullying (CEAB) NGO to honour her son.

“He tried a (science) experiment to strike a lighter and spray on it. He tried it in the granny flat, it backfired and he died instantly. I was inside with my younger daughter who saw the granny flat window was broken.

“He basically started the foundation in 2014, when people read about his bullying problem. He made me promise we would help others with the same problem, as a mother I said yes. Little did I know that he would pass on and I would start the foundation without him,” said Davids.

In an effort to raise awareness around bullying and increase support for victims, Davids established CEAB, which visits schools, orphanages, churches and youth camps in Cape Town and Durban to raise awareness about the impact of bullying and protect those being victimised.

Davids said Chauncey’s tormentors went beyond teasing and beat him up so badly that he often had to go to the doctor.

“This was over and above the emotional trauma. Getting help was impossible. We knocked on every door. I watched in pain as he suffered and all the doors were shut in front of us. That is why I took him out of school,” said Davids.

Davids said things improved when Chauncey went to high school, but tragedy struck in 2014 when he conducted the experiment he saw at school.

CEAB now organises annual hikes with The Hikers Network for victims, survivors and their family members to help break the cycle of bullying.

The NGO is hosting its annual anti-bullying hike tomorrow from Constantia Nek to Cecilia Forest and back, and is inviting survivors, their families and supporters to join them and break the cycle of bullying.

The event is supported by The Hikers Network, who helped to organise the club’s first hike in 2015 and have been there every year since then.

The president of The Hikers Network, Anwaaz Bent, said supporting the initiative, which drew nearly 80 people last year, was a no-brainer because adults needed to step in and help protect children.

“We adults have a responsibility to protect our children from harm and to ensure our sons and daughters don’t join the bullying camp. This is where education and awareness come in.

“While parents need to help their children stand up against bullies, we can’t place the responsibility of curbing bullying on victims’ shoulders. We need to talk to potential culprits while helping schools and other institutions deal with the problem adequately,” said Bent.

For more information about the event and anti-bullying activities, contact Beverley Davids on 073 958 9215 or bevdavis007@gmail.com or Anwaaz Bent on 081 763 9025 or anwaaz@hikersnetwork.co.za

I watched in pain as he suffered and all the doors were shut in front of us. Beverley Davids Mother