Design for Life: How do I prevent local bullies from targeting our children?

Dr Colman Noctor advises a reader on how to react to some local bullies, one of whom has started to pick on their daughter in school

It is the responsibility of every adult in a child’s life to ensure that they receive their educational experience free from threat, so they can learn and feel safe

Dear Expert,

Do you have any tips on how to deal with bullies? Where we live, there’s a gang of boys who hang out near a Luas stop. They’ve stolen bikes from other kids and they’re very intimidating. One of the younger ones is in my daughter’s Dublin primary school and he has started messing with her, making fun of her physical appearance. It has made her very self-conscious. What can I do to help?