Bristol County DA, Hockomock Y team up against bullying

From The Sun Chronicle
By Sean McGuire
August 5, 2015

NORTH ATTLEBORO – District Attorney Tom Quinn and the Hockomock Area YMCA teamed up Tuesday to fight bullying and peer pressure.

A workshop at the Y included activities on bullying, peer pressure and healthy decision-making, while former Red Sox player Brian Rose offered baseball instruction.

In an interview with The Sun Chronicle, Quinn discussed the importance of talking about bullying at a young age.

“It’s very important to get to the youth when they’re young about some of these issues,” he said. “The bullying can have a real negative effect on people, long term.”

About 50 children ages 9 through 12 participated in the event. “It’s important to talk to them, in simple ways, to emphasize that’s not what you want to do. The goal is to try and deal with bullying beforehand, not when damage is already done,” Quinn said.

YMCA Senior Program Director Joe Halus talked about the helpful benefits children will take with them. “I think having D.A. Quinn and the folks that he works with (here) provides us with a new opportunity to get the kids exposed to some up-to-date issues that they face every day,” Halus said.

“The idea of an additional bullying prevention program is huge. Getting the kids together, getting them to see folks in authority positions and the way those in authority positions respect each other is great for them to see,” Halus said.

In addition to the bullying and peer pressure aspects, the children spent the day being active.

“It’s good to see them out, exercising, participating in activities. That’s very important now,” Quinn said.

Original article: http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/bristol-county-da-hockomock-y-team-up-against-bullying/article_cd043e01-e2ac-599c-b76c-1bf393b7912c.html