There is no denying schoolyard bullying is not a new phenomenon.

The difference between bullying decades ago and bullying today is now it can – and does – happen 24-7.

When once the bullying may have stopped at the sound of the school bell, today’s modern technology gives bullies an avenue to carry out their vicious and vile attacks way beyond 3.30pm. And it can be relentless.

The proliferation of mobile phones for children as young as 10 is resulting in the bullies’ targets unwittingly being “available” to their attackers whenever they wish … no matter the time of day or night. No matter whether it’s a weekday or the weekend.

Today, The Courier highlights the bullying problem in the Ballarat region and calls on the community to help break the vicious cycle.

In the special feature, parents plea for help to deal with school bullies. Heartbroken families break their silence about the emotional repercussions on their lives, which have been torn apart by bullying.

In some bullying cases in Ballarat, little children have been punched, kicked, hit, called names, had their lunches stolen, pushed to the ground and verbally and mentally abused.

Most heartbreaking was the fact an eight-year-old Ballarat boy was so afraid to go to school because of bullying he tried to self-harm and even made himself vomit to avoid walking through the school gates.

How has society come to the point a grade one pupil feels so compelled to harm himself rather than face going to school? Why is it children as young as six are seeking the help of psychologists?

But what is more gut-wrenching is the attitude of some in the education system who either turn a blind eye or worse, ask kids to turn the other cheek, when it comes to standing up to bullies.

“Boys will be boys” is not – and frankly, should never have been – an acceptable excuse for bullying. There is no excuse for bullying.

Education is the key to stopping the bullying and keeping our children safe ... education of bullies, victims, parents and teachers.  Schools in the district have anti-bullying policies. But do they really work to keep our children safe?