An internationally recognized expert on bullying is in Wasaga Beach for a seminar tonight to help kids and parents cope with bullies in their midst.
Hetty Van Gurp founded Peaceful Schools international after the death of her son in a bullying incident in 1991.
Since then, she has travelled the world talking to students and parents about strategies to stop bullying.
Van Gurp says the days of telling kids that bullying is ‘just a part of growing up’ are gone.
She says parents and teachers have a duty to believe their kids who claim to be bullied and take action to protect them.
At tonight’s seminar at the Recplex, she’ll offer up suggestions for kids who are being bullied, including how to use humour to diffuse a bullying situation.
Van Gurp will also provide suggestions for parents and teachers to keep the peace in their classrooms.
The seminar is free, and open to anyone, starting at 7 PM tonight.