I don't even know if I should blog about this or if I am 'allowed' to. But I just can't keep it to myself. So here it is.
Today, while visiting with a friend I got a phone call.
It was my son.
His voice shaking.
"Mom.....can you come and get me?"
He wouldn't tell me what was wrong and totally melted down when I got him into the truck.
He had been assaulted on his way home from school by a kid who apparently was purposely following him because he talked to a girl that this other kid liked. This kid was accompanied by many others. One who video'd the entire attack on his cell phone.
He was grabbed by the neck, thrown to the ground, punched in the neck and kicked in the ribs repeatedly.
He got away when one of the friends he was walking with interjected and ran into a nearby public school for safety.
I looked at my son. And I said to him "we have to go to the police". I knew he wouldn't want to. What kid wants to go talk to police about just getting beat up? My gut was telling me to help him stand up and show him that there are ways to empower yourself in the face of violence. You don't fight back with force, you fight back with your brains and hopefully by taking the proper steps you help someone to change their ways and live a better life as well.
He was so embarassed by the attack that he just wanted to go home. I asked him if going home would help him feel empowered and in control of his life. He said 'no'. I asked him if he thought going home and doing nothing would end this inappropriate violence. He said 'no' again.
We headed to the OPP and spoke with an officer who was extremely comforting to my son and commended him on his courage for standing up for himself in this way. She gave him tips on how to handle any situations that might arise and that she would notify school officials as soon as possible so that they could also be aware of the situation at hand.
As we left the station, I could feel his relief and I asked him how he felt. He looked at me and he said "I feel good." And I answered "That's because you just did something really good, you stood up for yourself, you empowered yourself instead of letting this boy beat you down."
Do I think this is the end of it. No.
Do I hope that it is. Yes
If we do nothing, nothing changes.
I didn't go to the OPP arms raised yelling and screaming about the unfairness of life. I let my son talk to an officer and I only spoke when asked a question. She discussed options rationally and fairly. He was given the opportunity to see that there are processes in place that can help him and keep him safe.
This is how you teach your child to take responsibility for their safety. I am so glad that I have learned this over the years. I am so glad that I am able to share this with my son. I am so glad he is safe!
Today, while visiting with a friend I got a phone call.
It was my son.
His voice shaking.
"Mom.....can you come and get me?"
He wouldn't tell me what was wrong and totally melted down when I got him into the truck.
He had been assaulted on his way home from school by a kid who apparently was purposely following him because he talked to a girl that this other kid liked. This kid was accompanied by many others. One who video'd the entire attack on his cell phone.
He was grabbed by the neck, thrown to the ground, punched in the neck and kicked in the ribs repeatedly.
He got away when one of the friends he was walking with interjected and ran into a nearby public school for safety.
I looked at my son. And I said to him "we have to go to the police". I knew he wouldn't want to. What kid wants to go talk to police about just getting beat up? My gut was telling me to help him stand up and show him that there are ways to empower yourself in the face of violence. You don't fight back with force, you fight back with your brains and hopefully by taking the proper steps you help someone to change their ways and live a better life as well.
He was so embarassed by the attack that he just wanted to go home. I asked him if going home would help him feel empowered and in control of his life. He said 'no'. I asked him if he thought going home and doing nothing would end this inappropriate violence. He said 'no' again.
We headed to the OPP and spoke with an officer who was extremely comforting to my son and commended him on his courage for standing up for himself in this way. She gave him tips on how to handle any situations that might arise and that she would notify school officials as soon as possible so that they could also be aware of the situation at hand.
As we left the station, I could feel his relief and I asked him how he felt. He looked at me and he said "I feel good." And I answered "That's because you just did something really good, you stood up for yourself, you empowered yourself instead of letting this boy beat you down."
Do I think this is the end of it. No.
Do I hope that it is. Yes
If we do nothing, nothing changes.
I didn't go to the OPP arms raised yelling and screaming about the unfairness of life. I let my son talk to an officer and I only spoke when asked a question. She discussed options rationally and fairly. He was given the opportunity to see that there are processes in place that can help him and keep him safe.
This is how you teach your child to take responsibility for their safety. I am so glad that I have learned this over the years. I am so glad that I am able to share this with my son. I am so glad he is safe!
I am so glad he is ok, too! Hope he continues to feel empowered and can be safe on his way home from now on...
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