ABOUT Victoria Hargan

Victoria Hargan
Victoria is the founder and executive director of the National Police Domestic Abuse Foundation and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research Institute. As a forensic consultant and educator specializing in police family violence, PTSD and crime victimization, Victoria reveals insi More...

Description

Power of Words is a poignantly written book by forensic consultant, Victoria Hargan. She has provided a way for parents and teachers to get the message across to their children and students on the topic of bullying. The book contains a moving poem that can be used both in the classroom and at home as a way to engage students on the topic and realize the effects that bullying can have on a person. The book also offers interventions to help prevent bullying, identify bullying, and to identify signs of potential suicide. Suicide is often the tragic and unfortunate result of bullying among our youth.  
The Power of Words was created to bring awareness to bullying, domestic violence, and suicide prevention. Victims of bullying, domestic violence and those who have committed or attempted suicide as a result of victimization have experienced the powerful words that can break a spirit. The long term psychological effects of bullying may result in the development of depression, anxiety, phobias, fear of going to school or work, fear of coming home from school and the potential for developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  

Research confirms that bullying can affect the health, emotional well-being and academic performance of victims. Individuals who are bullied are more likely than their peers to have lower self-esteem, higher rates of depression, report they feel ill on a regular basis, have more frequent thoughts of suicide and absenteeism from school or work. Bullying prevention should be woven into the fabric of school life as early as pre-school.