By Andy Merrett
Sep 29, 2010
Allergy bullies a reality according to US study
Bullying on any level and for any reason is wholly unacceptable, but when it crosses the line and becomes a serious and immediate health threat, it’s truly shocking.
A new survey published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests that one in four children, teenagers and young adults have reported being taunted, harassed and bullied because of an allergy they suffered from.
One particularly nasty case involved a high school student who smeared peanut butter on the forehead of a child with a severe nut allergy. The seriousness of the offence landed the perpetrator with an assault charge and four days in jail.
Some four per cent of children in the US have some kind of food allergy, and that’s on the increase. It’s most likely a similar story in the UK.
While the majority of abuse was verbal, some victims were physically taunted or had their food intentionally contaminated.
Have you or your child experienced this kind of abuse? Share your comments below.
Read more: Peanut menace? Bullies use food to torment allergic kids
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