Medical Society of Sedgwick County Alliance Educates on Bullying

 The Medical Society of Sedgwick County Alliance has taken to educating students, parents and educators about the dangers of bullying. The program, which is a student driven presentation, started in 2004 and aims to create conversation about bullying. Through the No Bullies-No Victims committee, members have given the specialized bullying presentation to more than 2500 staff, students and parents across Kansas. According to Michelle Grindel presented at numerous elementary schools, "We want to show them what they can do and teach them how to be an advocate for a bullying victim."

Through skits, role play and interactive activities, the presenation showcases different ways students can help a bullying victim, showcase how bullies can change and talk about how the victims feel.  The key to success for the program is getting parents, students and teachers involved, said Grindel. Since the state of Kansas recently passed legislation requiring school districts to instate anti-bullying programs, the committee is booked for presentations through the fall. 

Sue Tucker, MSW from Ohio wrote the program and Susan Delahanty from the Summit County Medical Alliance in Ohio made it available to their county schools.  Both ladies presented the No Bullies-No Victims program at a conference sponsored by the Medical Society of Sedgwick County Alliance held in November 2004  to teach the members the program.  From that point on the Alliance took the program to area schools.