The cub leader of the 4th Williamstown Sea Scouts held a karate course for his pack’s members last Thursday, in the hope they will develop the self-esteem to stand up to bullying.
Peter “Baggy” Ryan brought in the Goshin Ryu Karate Club to show the cubs how to deal with bullying.
He said he endured bullying every day at school until he left aged 15 because of it.
“I was pretty much bullied on a daily basis both in primary and especially in secondary college,” he said. “It was more than name calling – people used me like a punching bag now and then. I managed to get through it though but it wasn’t a very good experience.”
Mr Ryan said he was encouraging his cubs to stand up to bullying.
“I want the children to feel strong about themselves,” he said.
“Talk to someone about it, talk to a teacher and they can help with the problem.
“With the self-defence night … if it goes from bad to worse they can actually defend themselves. But, of course, as a last resort if they feel they’re being threatened or if they feel that they might injured they can actually have the ability to defend themselves.”
The 4th Williamstown Sea Scouts is the largest group in the Scout district covering Footscray, Altona and Williamstown.
It has more than 100 members, including more than 30 cubs.
