Children are known to draw on themselves every now and then. To give themselves ink tattoos, to write down ‘reminders’ for tests, to doodle on their skin when they are bored in class. However, one father was absolutely devastated when he found out that the ‘markings’ on his teen’s hand weren’t just doodles.
Matthew, who is Harry’s father, shared a photo of Harry’s markings as well as a message in a heartbreaking social media post that has since gone viral.
Tally of how many times teen’s been bullied
Harry, who lives in the UK, only just started high school last week (September is the start of school there). On his hand, 21 different markings.
As Matthew explains, each line represented a time his son had been bullied in the past two days. Harry had been keeping a secret tally on his skin.
On his hand here he’s made a record of how many times in the last two days he has been bullied, verbally or physically.
In total 21. It’s heartbreaking. Schools need to come down harder on bullies. Their parents should be fined.”
Matthew added a second post, explaining, “You just don’t know what goes on and you expect your kids to be safe at school.”
Many people have offered their compassion and have praised Harry for keeping the tally. Having that tally on his hand opens up the conversation with his parents at home or with the teachers at school, something that many teens have trouble doing.
It also offers a powerful visual reminder that bullying isn’t something that happens just once.
Drayke’s story: loved fiercely and bullied relentlessly
We’ve shared many heartbreaking stories in the past about the impact bullying can have on children. One of these children was Drakye.
Relentless bullying pushed the 12-year-old over the edge last year. He was loved fiercely by his family, had an unwavering love for sports, had a HUGE heart and the kindest of spirits.
But Drayke was also relentlessly bullied at school for even the most minor of things. Drayke tried desperately to become friends with his bully to no avail. Drayke’s school was aware of the bullying – even taking action against the bully with a previous suspension. But still, the bullying persisted.
One morning Drayke came home from school sporting a black eye and confided to his older sister that his bully had hurt him. Two days later on February 9th, 2022 Drayke attempted to take his own life. Drayke’s dad, Andrew, immediately started CPR until paramedics arrived and took over and after 15 minutes Drayke’s heart started beating but the damage had already been done.
On February 10, 2022, Drayke passed away surrounded by his family and their all-encompassing love.
Sophia’s Story: physically sick due to bullying
Another child whose story we’ve shared is Sophia, who, at just six-years-old, is physically sick every night, in and out of hospital and afraid to go to school. Due to bullying.
As her mum, Carrie, explained, her daughter “with such a caring heart that despite being so ill doesn’t want anyone to get in trouble.”
Her daughter has stopped eating, has cried herself to sleep, has anxiety so severe she’s up sick over 20 times in an hour through the night.
This is a little girl who has been in and out of hospital for countless trips due to being so sick with anxiety…Who was told off for ‘telling tales at school’, who has been mocked on social media by the bullies’ parents.
This is a child who doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else. This is why Carrie, Sophia’s mum, shared this powerful image and message.
“Please help us share her story. Let’s show her the support her school couldn’t afford her.”
Enough is enough
Despite the warning signs, the promises from schools, and the assurance that bullying is not tolerated online, children are being bullied every single day. As parents, try to keep the lines of communication with your children open – this is the best way for us to be aware that bullying is happening.
And, if your teen has trouble speaking up or speaking out, perhaps suggest they take a pen to school and keep their own tally on their hand, as Harry did.
While this isn’t the most ‘orthodox’ way to handle this situation, if it helps a child communicate what is happening, then we are all for it.
