THE Most Child Friendly City in the region took its advocacy one notch higher by launching its “Anti- Bullying Hotline (09333788888)” to respond to complaints and alerts of bullied children.

Lorna Fernandez, project development officer 3 of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said the city government is reaching out to victims of bullying whether they are school children or out of school youths (OSY) to help resolve the circumstances affecting them.

She said among the forms of bullying are name-calling, abusive words and actions that threaten another person that lead the victim to wallow in self-pity, create fear and low self-esteem. It includes online bullying.

“Our mayor wants to address this problem because of its long-term psychological effects to the victims, becoming introvert or anti-social. Worse, the studies show the victims themselves become bullies”, said Fernandez.

Aside from counseling, the CSWDO also offers self- social enhancement program to the victims, where activities like singing, fellowship and discussions are done in a cell group.

If bullied children are not comfortable calling the hotline, parents can report their children’s problems from bullying by texting their names, address and nature of bullying suffered by their children.

Fernandez clarified the hotline is for bullies as well.

“Parents could report to us if they know their child to be a bully and we can also help them. We have psychologists and social workers who can handle the bullies”, said Fernandez.

A special program to address behavior of bullies will be offered.

The hotline service, however, is accessible to residents of Dagupan City only.

(Hilda M. Austria/PNA)

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