Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
That old axiom is a “load of garbage” according to Sgt. (retired) Brian Trainor.
“Words are weapons, words hurt and words can kill,” Trainor told students at Sacred Heart High School February 10.
A 27-year veteran of the Saskatoon Police Service, Trainor has seen bullying at its ugliest and now educates students, teachers and parents on how to prevent abuse and harassment.
He walks into the room in a black t-shirt, shaved scalp and stern look, the intimidating look of a cop. That quickly melts away, though, as he tells his own story of being bullied and low self-esteem. He connects with the audience.
When speaking to kids, he does not condescend; he does not mince words. He speaks in the vernacular of social media, which drives the message home.
Cyberbullying, of course, is the watchword of the day and Trainor explains its prevalence is based on anonymity. Nevertheless, he says, people can’t stay anonymous because word always gets out and he encourages kids to make sure they tell someone when they encounter online bullying even if they are not the intended target.
He wants to turn the idea of “ratting someone out” on its head saying it is just as much for the good of the bully to deal with it rather than end up like many of the bullies Trainor himself went to school with, in jail.
On the evening of February 10, Trainor brought a similar message to Sacred Heart parents.
The speaker is also the author of a novel for teenagers called Bully 4U and creator of a comic book called Jason’s Nightmare that he had distributed to Saskatchewan schools for free with the help of corporate donations.
