By Jillian Follert
Like dating and homework, dealing with bullies was once considered just another part of adolescence. Teens who came home with accounts of harassment were encouraged to “walk away” or “just ignore it.”
For those growing up in an era of school shootings, increased adolescent depression and psychological warfare in the classroom, ignoring bullies may no longer be an option.
In The Shape of a Girl, coming to the National Arts Centre this month, playwright Joan MacLeod examines bullying and the link between peer pressure and adolescent violence.
“People need to realize bullying is not a right of passage, it’s not acceptable, it’s not OK,” MacLeod emphasizes.
The play is landing in Ottawa after successful runs in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. MacLeod says she is excited it is attracting people of all ages and backgrounds and that everyone has been very receptive so far.
The single-actor play follows the life of 15-year-old Braidie, a high school student consumed by thoughts of boys and clothes. That is, until she becomes fixated on a local news story.
The report, which describes a high school student viciously tortured and murdered by her peers, horrifies Braidie.
MacLeod says the incident in the play might sound familiar to audiences, because it is based on the story of Reena Virk, a Victoria student murdered by her classmates in 1997.
“It involves this violent incident, but the play isn’t necessarily about being a bully or being a victim,” explains MacLeod. “It’s more about being a bystander, which is where many of us find ourselves.”
As the play unfolds, Braidie realizes her own best friend has been bullying a girl in their class for years and she has done nothing to stop it.
“I just turned 49 which is a long way from 15, but I clearly remember being that age. You just want to do what your friends are doing,” says MacLeod. “You don’t want to be the one to stand up and say this is wrong and that’s how peer pressure plays a role in bullying.”
MacLeod says the play also addresses emotional violence, an issue people are only beginning to take seriously.
“Girls especially bully emotionally, through things like exclusion,” she explains. “It can be extremely hurtful.”
William DeSouza, co-chair of the Ottawa Safe Communities Network, agrees and says emotional violence is becoming more common in Ottawa.
“Kids use intimidation and other emotional tactics to control others and nobody really talks about how harmful it can be,” he says. “It can ruin someone’s life.”
The staff at Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa (CAYFO) are opening the lines of communication with respect to this and other bullying issues, using guides for teachers and a recent symposium at City Hall attended by 300 people.
CAYFO co-ordinator Stephanie Gauthier says the strong turnout proves bullying is a serious problem .
“Every week we get calls from people looking for support,” Gauthier says. “The solution is to create a coalition to bring together schools, families, law enforcement and the city of Ottawa. The problem is we just don’t have the funds.”
According to Gauthier, CAYFO plans to apply for possible grants from the municipal and federal governments and the United Way. In the meantime, she says plays like The Shape of a Girl can be invaluable anti-bullying tools.
“We need new techniques to reach young people. It’s not enough for the principal to come into the classroom and lecture about bullying,” Gauthier says. “Plays like this are wonderful because people will be able to identify with the character on stage and that will have a huge impact.”