The “royal tea”
To say the interview between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Oprah was shocking is an understatement. According to her and Prince Harry, the couple wasn’t exactly receiving the royal treatment they thought they would from their own family. Because of this, the couple gracefully bowed out of their royal duties and now live a separate life from their family in Canada.
If you haven’t watched the interview, here’s a quick rundown: Meghan claimed multiple incidents of bullying during her time as a Royal, including the family refusing to give her son the title of a Prince and therefore no security protection, refusing to provide her resources to help with her depression, and even discussing concerns over how dark her son’s skin would be before he was even born.
It got so bad, Meghan told Oprah, that she contemplated suicide.
Bullying and suicide: Is there potential for legal escalation?
Unfortunately, severe depression and suicidal thoughts are dangerous consequences following persistent bullying or harassment, and it is not uncommon for victims to feel hopeless and isolated.
While the relationship with bullying and suicide is complex, research indicates that persistent bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair, as well as depression and anxiety that can contribute to suicidal behavior, according to stopbullying.gov. Those dealing with suicidal thoughts can seek help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
From all of these claims and all that we know now, it makes you wonder: How far can bullying and harassment go before it becomes a legal issue?
While there are no federal anti-bullying laws, every state has anti-bullying laws and regulations. Additionally, if bullying is also deemed as harassment, it is breaking federal law and your bully can potentially serve jail time. If you or someone you know is a bullying victim, seek legal and authoritative help for protection.
How can bullying victims combat the situation?
If you are experiencing bullying and harassment, here are some ways you can protect yourself:
- Reach out to your school authority if you are a student. Your school should have a procedure in place to investigate the situation and escalate when needed.
- Document everything: Online or written threats, destruction to your property, etc.
- If the threats involve the use of explosives, report it to the FBI.
- Report anonymous accounts (via social media or other online platforms) to the website and notify them of the situation.
- Seek legal help.
Seeking legal help is the best way to fight bullies
If you are experiencing bullying or harassment, know that you are not alone. LegalShield can provide you access to a dedicated provider attorney who can help you understand your rights and how to proceed. This professional consultation and guidance is provided at a low monthly rate. Learn more about how LegalShield can help.
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