It seems like every day, another story about bullying comes to the forefront. Thanks to social media, bullying seems more common than ever.
According to StopBullying.gov, roughly 1 in 3 or 4 American students are bullied at school. It’s a problem that affects everyone, but especially anyone seen as different.
Sadly, StopBullying.gov reports that only 20 to 30 percent of kids tell an adult about bullying. When adults do learn about it, they often don’t know how to respond, often for fear of making the problem worse.
That’s where the Guardians of the Children come in. These bikers, members of a motorcycle club with chapters throughout the entire United States, have one very simple mission.
According to their website, “The mission of Guardians Of the Children (GOC) is to recognize and react to child abuse and educate the public to do the same; to serve as advocates to provide strength and stability to families in crisis; and be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support and protection.”
They have been known to escort abused children into court so that they feel protected when testifying against their abusers. They also escort bullied students so that they can feel safe going to school.
Now, they have again shown up for a bullied teen. The Texas teen was the target of a stomach-turning incident of bullying earlier this school year.
It happened so quickly, there was hardly any time to register what had happened to 14-year-old Christian Burk. Another student rose, walked over to her, and cut out a chunk of her hair.
The unkind act left Burk reeling, but she refused to let the bully control her. Her mother, Dshannon Aday, is staunch in her conviction that “My daughter is a survivor. She’s not a victim. I won’t let her be a victim.”
The Friday after the incident occurred, her community rallied behind her. Members of the Guardians of the Children arrived to escort her to her high school.
Their presence was a comfort to the young girl. “It makes me feel good,” she told WFAA.
Dozens of Guardians walked Burk to the front door of her school. “Our goal here is to give strength and stability to these children that are going through this,” said Todd Brisbon, who rides with Guardians of the Children, to WFAA.
According to StopBullying.gov, there is no clear way to stop bullying: “Many prevention programs have been tested in schools with modest results. Others have failed to make a difference. Researchers are still working on solutions to this complex problem.”
While there may be no clear solution to the bullying problem, the support of the community is a big help to those going through it. That is because bullying can often lead to isolation and despair, which can lead to suicidal behavior.
For her part, Burk just wants people to be kind. “People don’t deserve other people being mean to them. It’s rude,” she told WFAA.
We agree that simply being kind is one of the most important things a person can do. An act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a far-reaching impact on the world.
