Talking About Bullying, Honestly

We don’t want to talk to learners about what we think matters to them. We want to listen, and learn from them, about the issues that truly impact and interest them.

At a recent high school group session, a Care Facilitator used our bullying-focused booklet to guide discussions with nearly 100 learners across three groups. What learners shared went far beyond playground taunts. They spoke about validation, competition, and even bullying in future workplaces.

The Care Facilitator observed that learners were genuinely interested in how to build more positive relationships—and how to prevent the harm caused by bullying. They also felt safe enough to reflect on the role parents might play in these dynamics.

Many had strong emotional responses to the session:
“I felt encouraged to help someone in need.”
“I understand the pain that someone who is being bullied carries.”
“It can lead to illness or even suicide.”

It’s clear that learners are asking for more than awareness campaigns. They want honest, ongoing conversations, and practical tools—ways to speak up, support one another, and make sense of their own experiences.

//Note: the image used is posed and does not depict the group of learners quoted.