Parents have many tools to help their bullied child

By Staff Writer

Victims of bullying are often chosen for reasons outside of their control, such as physical appearance, disability, perceived sexual orientation and jealousy, among others. Parents may not be able to prevent teen bullying, but they can address the issue once it occurs, Psychology Today reports.

Knowing the signs of bullying, such as torn clothing, missing belongings, insomnia, anxiety, stomach aches, headaches, moodiness, sadness or tearfulness when leaving or coming home from school, can be the first step in solving the problem. Those who recognize any of these signs ought to speak with their child and let them know they are concerned.

Talking about sex can also be helpful, as sexual harassment can work to quickly degrade and shame its victim. If sex is treated as a taboo subject in the home and never discussed openly, a teen may be reluctant to discuss the sexual harassment they are subjected to out of embarrassment. However, if the home is a safe place to talk about sex, teens may be more likely to tell their parents if they become the victim of sexual bullying.

A recent survey conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy found that more than 20 percent of teens admit to sending or receiving sexually explicit messages.