Cop this: we’re not gonna take it any more!

Alex de Vos
A group of frustrated high school bullying victims has threatened to turn to police this year.
Oberon High School student Braden McKay and his friends say they are sick of suffering at the hands of bullies every day.
Braden said he had reported bullying to teachers but it was a “useless gesture and partially effective”.
“After the bully I reported left me alone I had to report his friends three times to the same teacher just to get a result,” Braden said.
He wanted repeat offenders to contend with the law.
“The school can deal with first offences, after that take it out of the school’s hands,” Braden said.
“Make it so bullies can be charged with and convicted for bullying, a conviction that sticks with them for life.”
Braden said existing school programs to prevent bullying were not enough.
“More people will report bullying if they know effective action will be taken,” he said.
Schoolmate Anthony Clifton said he would consider complaining to police if bullies continued victimising him this year.
Anthony said bullying against him had progressed beyond school.
“I got punched once and had to leave the school grounds to get away from the bullies,” he said.
“I saw the bullies from school in KFC and they tried to take my food.”
Police Chief Inspector Wayne Carson urged victims to report bullying when it included assault.
“If it was a criminal offence we would proceed with an investigation,” he said.