Giving bullied victims a brighter future through sport

Children who have been bullied many times often lose their confidence, but experts say engaging in a sport can help and support in rebuilding it.

Many people have experienced bullying which has affected them either physically or emotionally and weakened their self-esteem. Specialists say a sport can boost their strengths and help in regaining their self-confidence.

Kennedy LaBute, a Grade 12 student at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, was a shy child who had experienced bullying when she was in Grade 4.

LaBute, who did not have many friends, said bullying was not easy for her at all. In Grade 4, some of her classmates tried to hurt her physically and emotionally through rough playing.

“They put a blindfold on me and they pushed me into the field behind the school and they waited until the teachers were there,” said LaBute. “So, they can grab the teacher, get me in trouble and then they took the blindfold off and the whole school laughing, and it is just awful.”

She said she did not give up and wanted to regain her confidence. LaBute enrolled in martial arts classes supported by her father who has been teaching kick boxing for several years. She said she was able to earn a black belt and has now become a coach assistant in kick boxing.

“It really has made a huge difference for my life and I hope that it can do the same for somebody else,” said LaBute.

Martial arts instructors also see situations where victims of bullying improve physically and emotionally through practicing.

Jarvis Ducharme, 27, a professional mixed martial arts fighter, has practiced for about 20 years and has been a coach for the past five years at Hybrid Training Academy.

HTA is a private training academy in Windsor with another branch in Lakeshore where people can learn mixed martial arts including jiu-jitsu, boxing and Karate.

Ducharme said the best thing his parents did for him was involving him in martial arts. He said bullying can lower one’s confidence and break it, but a sport like martial arts can help in regaining it.

“It makes them feel strong, and something we actually teach is we want people to be confident, like strive to be the best,” said Ducharme. “For me personally, I want to do martial arts. My parents found a place, they took me there, supported me and this is the best thing they ever did for me.”

Bullying remains prevalent in society.

In Windsor, police officers who are trying to prevent bullying and keep children safe said people should report to police when they experience repeated bullying actions. This should be reported harassment because bullying is never acceptable.

Talya Natyshak, a constable in the corporate communications unit with the Windsor Police Service, said harassment under the criminal law is when someone fears for their safety or the safety for someone they may know.

Natyshak said they try to help youth in preventing bullying through several educational programs.

“The Windsor Police Service is very active in educating our youth through programs in school, especially our VIP Program– values influences and peers program. Bullying is very large portion in topic within that,” said Natyshak.

In Canada, at least one in three adolescent students have reported being bullied. Studies have found bullying occurs once every seven minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom, according to the Bullying Canada website.