Raising teenagers is challenging. Some thrive during high school but may go through a rebellious phase. Others struggle to fit in and are victims of bullying.
Approximately one in five teens aged 12 through 18 is a victim of bullying. Since Statista reports there are 25 million people aged 12 through 17, this bullying statistic represents more than 5 million victims, with almost all bullying occurring on school property. As a bullied teen’s parent, you may wonder how to address the situation. Let’s look at steps you should take if your teen’s being bullied at school.
Hire an attorney.
School administrators are responsible for ensuring student safety and responding appropriately to threats of bullying and physical attacks on school grounds. Consequently, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the school, particularly if you’ve addressed previous concerns and the school failed to address the bullying effectively.
Talk to a personal injury attorney about your case. The best Denver personal injury lawyer can file a premises liability suit against the school. Premises liability suits hold property owners or managers responsible for unsafe conditions on the property that lead to injuries.
Your injury attorney’s law firm will investigate the bullying incidents. Their team will interview witnesses and collect school documents, police reports, and medical records. They’ll complete the legal paperwork and file a suit against the appropriate parties before the statute of limitations expires.
Personal injury lawyers fight for their clients to receive fair compensation for medical expenses stemming from their injuries and other related costs. Lawsuits can also lead to policy changes that will prevent bullying in the future, protecting other potential victims from harm. Taking legal action can also reassure your teen that you care about their well-being and will fight to protect them.
Help your teen plan for the future.
If your teen’s a high school senior, you’ve probably discussed plans, but it’s never too soon to start preparing for higher education. Bullying can cause depression, but helping your teenager set goals and work toward those goals can mitigate mental health challenges stemming from bullying.
Encourage your teen to join the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), get involved in their leadership program, and attend webinars. The NSHSS also provides information about national honor society scholarship opportunities and other scholarships. Helping your teen ensure they meet the scholarship qualification requirements and prompting them to apply prepares them for their future, ensuring they have the funds to attend their dream college. Receiving an NSH scholarship can also boost your teen’s confidence.
Encourage their interests.
Help your teen identify their interests and provide them with the resources to pursue those interests. Perhaps they used to draw and paint but stopped when they started high school. Maybe they enjoy playing chess and would benefit from joining their school’s chess club.
Engaging in preferred activities can boost your teen’s spirits and help them connect with other teens with similar interests. Pursuing their interests may also strengthen their college and scholarship applications because many college and scholarship review boards consider extracurricular activities when they’re evaluating applicants.
Ensure your teen has the support they need.
Bullying can cause depression, social anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Teens benefit from having a safe space to discuss issues affecting them. Find a therapist your teen can talk to. Therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other methods to help patients develop coping strategies and manage their mental health. You can also see a therapist. For example, suppose your teen wants to complete high school online. Discussing this option with a therapist can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine the best way to support your teen.
Bullying affects millions of teens. You can help your teen by hiring an attorney, helping your teen plan for the future, promoting your teen’s interests, and ensuring your teen has the support they need.
