Amid a troubling rise in teenage suicides linked to bullying in recent months, High Court Judge Frank Seepersad has called for the establishment of safe, judgement-free spaces at homes and schools where children can openly share their struggles.
He made the call on Friday during the Canaan Presbyterian School’s anti-bullying walkathon.
Seepersad said children must have spaces where they can share their feelings without fear of judgement or retaliation.
"Parents and teachers must take every report of bullying seriously. We must set up zones where children can talk about their hurt, fears, and disappointments," he said.
The walkathon was part of the school’s Anti-Bullying Week launched by the Parent-Teacher Association. Seepersad commended the initiative, highlighting the recent loss of young lives to suicide linked to bullying. He urged students to seek help.
"If you are enduring taunts or physical abuse, you need to know that you are not alone. Support is available," he said.
He also sent a message to bullies, saying their actions have consequences. Seepersad also called on students to be "upstanders and not bystanders" when they witness bullying.
"Bullying thrives on silence. If you are bullying someone, there may be issues you are facing. Reach out to someone for help," he added.
Seepersad also encouraged students to speak up. "A simple ‘Stop’ or ‘That’s not okay’ can make a difference," he said. He added: "Your unintended silence very often emboldens the bullies to continue their harmful behaviour. So every time you witness bullying, you can elect to be part of the solution or part of the problem."
However, he said not always should a bully be confronted.
"Speaking up doesn’t mean that you must always confront the bully. The response may be to withhold your laughter at the mean joke, or you can immediately embrace the victim, defuse the tense situation, or you can simply distract the bully by changing the subject," he explained.
He also spoke about the growing issue of cyberbullying.
"Unlike traditional bullying, which often ends with the dismissal bell, cyberbullying is continuous. The anonymity provided by the internet often emboldens cyber bullies to mount severe and persistent attacks," he said.
He urged parents to monitor their children’s devices and maintain open communication about online activities.
Seepersad emphasized the need for support groups in schools to assist both victims and bullies. He said the education system must be updated to teach young people responsible digital citizenship.
"Each of us must also understand that we contribute to the problem when we share or like harmful content, and there is a critical need to foster a culture of digital empathy and responsibility," he said. Seepersad urged everyone to be agents of change.
"We must all ensure that our online spaces are places of connection and communication where learning and growth are fostered, free from the fury of cyberbullying," he added.