Bullying is a widespread problem. Available data shows that bullying is predominant among young people across different demographics and races. Students are getting bullied in school bathrooms, playgrounds, and online. They are also bullied if they have a different sexual orientation.
Although it is very present in our communities, not much has been done to stop it from continuing.
More than 80% of bullying cases are unattended to. And yet, many of them end in fights, threats to kill, and even sexual assault.
To bring focus to the problem, celebrities who were bullied at some point in their lives have been sharing their stories. Read their experiences:
In 2007, Prince Harry revealed that he was bullied for being red haired. He said it was an experience he had lived with all his life. Harry's army pals reportedly nicknamed him "Ginger Bullet Magnet".
Just before the birth of his daughter with actress Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise revealed that he had been constantly bullied by his father whom he referred to as a coward. The actor, who also talked about his struggle with dyslexia, said his experience of being bullied in school had been tough.
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Emma Watson recently shared that she was bullied in school as well. Watson was educated in a private school in Oxford while filming Harry Potter. She said she constantly felt isolated and encouraged her young fans to seek out “their tribe and kindred spirits".
Alba said she was bullied so much that her father had to walk her to school. She ate her lunch in the nurse’s office to avoid other girls.
The leading comedian revealed in an interview with Details Magazine that his comedy was born out of being bullied. As the only black kid in his school, he said racial slurs were thrown at him daily, along with water balloons filled with urine.
Other celebrities who have shared their experience with bullying include Kate Winslet and Wynona Ryder. Ryder says an anti-gay slur was used on her as a child because of her appearance, and Kate Winslet says she was shamed for her body size.
It is great to know that bullying can be stopped. It does not have to continue or be lived through in silence. There are a number of ways to handle the situation.
Do not go through it alone. Talk about it or importantly talk to law enforcement agencies when it becomes necessary to do this. It also helps have a conversation with the bully if it is safe enough to do so.
READ ALSO: Problem Of Being Bullied At School And Ways To Stop It From Happening Again