REVIEW: Jodie Marsh - Bullied

Jodie Marsh is no stranger to the media, though not always for the right reasons. She’s been plastered on front pages for her.. interesting choices of outfit, body building, image and outspoken views. But last night the former glamour model tackled bullying, a global problem that destroys lives and in worst case scenarios, ends them.

In the first of a two-part documentary, Jodie set off to America, a country where 13 million children each year affected by bullying. Since the Columbine shootings and other high school massacres came to light, there have been laws passed making it illegal to bully and perpetrators can face legal action.

Jodie was on the hunt for revolutionary anti bullying ideas to bring back to the UK. One school in particular, Stone Bridge, has been aiming to stop bullying before it even starts by giving motivational talks to children, educating them emotionally and socially. Jodie highlighted that one of the problems at the moment in England is often that action is taken too late, whereas these preventative measures could have a huge impact and drastically reduce the number of victims. Having endured the horrendous ordeal of bullying herself, she dealt with the issue from an empathetic view point.

Jodie highlighted the effects of bullying (WENN)

In an emotional and traumatic documentary that highlighted the consequences of what bullying can do, we got an insight into what life has been like for some people who have been affected. Jodie interviewed Sawyer, who was punched so violently it left him paralysed. That one punch resulted in 19 surgeries, wheelchairs, therapies, home modifications, counselling, automobiles. She also went to visit one family whose son Jamie tragically hung himself at the tender age of 14, because he couldn’t deal with the abuse anymore. Then there was Acer, also 14, who injured four people before shooting himself in the mouth because he couldn’t see a way to overcome his struggle.

Jodie also met up with Mark and Aeron, principals of two different schools who she admired for their passion and dedication to anti bullying. They told her how important communication is for children. Aeron introduced the idea of ‘defenders’ at his school - the concept whereby older children work as a support system to comfort children, help them out and let bullies know the consequences of their actions.

As Jodie pointed out, America has a reputation for doing things bigger than everywhere else and the displays of unity and community within the schools, as well as the obvious support network, showed what magnificent things can happen if small steps are taken and people work together. One issue that kept being raised was responsibility. She said parents have been doing something, the government  have been doing something, it’s the schools that haven't been.

The episode ended with a powerful message of Jodie telling how she doesn’t hate her bullies but in fact feels sorry for them. She learned after years: “We shouldn’t be punishing them, we should be helping them.”

Tune in to the next episode where Jodie will put everything she has learnt into practice as she takes over a school and attempts to implement the techniques she was introduced to in America.

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