Growing up, many of us have encountered bullying in some form, either directly or indirectly.
It's not uncommon to hear children making fun of each other while playing together; sometimes when children can't express their feelings they may even get physical.
In many cases it may be brushed off - some may think it's innocent enough or that it's just kids being kids.
But, this isn't always the case and today, The Daily Post is taking a stand through an anti-bullying campaign called Stop The Hate.
Playground bullying can lead to more bullying and cause an ongoing problem. As a Rotorua counsellor has said, it is a learned behaviour. Somewhere, those bullies have picked up that habit either at home, at school, at the playground or at work _ and they're teaching it to others. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
In Rotorua, two of the most high-profile cases of bullying include that of Nia Glassie _ the 3-year-old killed by her bullies and that of Hayley-Anne Fenton _ the teenager who killed herself after being text-bullied by her love interest's wife.
In the last few weeks there have been many forms of bullying highlighted in the media.
The Daily Post this week revealed the story of Gavin Hayes _ an 82-year-old man who wanted to die after continuously being bullied by a group of teenagers in his neighbourhood. Later the story featured on TV3's Campbell Live.
We've heard the story of Vancouver 15-year-old Amanda Todd who killed herself on October 10 after being tormented by a cyber-bully for years. Shortly before her death she uploaded a video to YouTube which described her bullying through a series of note cards.
A couple of weeks ago we were reminded of the horror treatment Rotorua toddler Nia Glassie dealt with when her story featured on TV One's Beyond the Darklands. There, the backgrounds of her bullies were dissected.
This week's episode of The Ridges also featured bullying as a main theme _ highlighting just some of the many attacks both Jaime and her mum have been hit with over the years, particularly through social networking sites.
Technology and social networking seems to have made bullying even more prevalent in our communities. In some cases it has probably given some people more of a backbone, though a cowardly one, to attack someone while hidden behind a cellphone and it's text messages or behind a computer. Though some of those responsible
for cyber bullying may not even be bold enough to say anything bad face-to-face.
It's sad to think people suffer at the hands of bullies who think they have a right to make another person feel worthless. The consequences can be devastating.
Let's stamp out bullying and let bullies know they won't be tolerated.
What do you think? Comment below, email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.
Michael Curtis has served more than 17 years for the murder of Nia Glassie.